What is meant by wave-particle duality?

Wave-particle duality refers to the fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that every particle exhibits both wave and particle properties. This means that particles, such as electrons or photons, can display behavior characteristic of waves, such as interference and diffraction, as well as behavior typical of particles, such as localized impacts in particle detection.

This dual nature is a cornerstone of quantum theory, demonstrating that at a microscopic scale, the traditional distinctions between particles and waves blur. For instance, light can display wave characteristics when it creates interference patterns, but it can also be detected as discrete packets of energy called photons. Similarly, electrons can produce wave-like diffraction patterns while also demonstrating particle-like properties when interacting with other particles or surfaces.

Understanding wave-particle duality is crucial for explaining various phenomena in physics, including the behavior of electrons in atoms and the principles of quantum mechanics. The other choices misrepresent or oversimplify this complex concept, which is fundamentally about the integrative nature of particle behavior in quantum systems.