wave-particle duality

1. The exhibition of both wavelike and particlelike properties by a single entity. For example, electrons undergo diffraction and can interfere with each other as waves, but they also act as pointlike masses and electric charges. The theory of quantum mechanics is a attempt to explain these apparently contradictory properties exhibited by matter.

2. See also complementarity

wave-particle duality

1. In quantum mechanics, the condition that allows every quantum to appear like a wave in some experiments and like an elementary particle in others.

Example Sentences

You don’t need a master’s in wave-particle duality to enjoy the cosmic playground of coincidence and fate that Kröger has in mind.

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It involves harnessing the properties of light, such as its wave-particle duality, to induce interference patterns, enabling the encoding and processing of quantum information.

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And this wave-particle duality can give rise to some weird and sneaky phenomena.

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The wave-particle duality reveals the queer, nonbinary nature of quantum mechanics.⁠

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This wave-particle duality is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics.

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