Wave Particle Duality: Exploring Beyond QM

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In summary, the wave particle duality is a concept in quantum mechanics that describes how particles, such as photons, can behave as both waves and particles. This means that sometimes it is more useful to think of light as a wave propagating through space, while other times it is more useful to think of it as discrete particles exchanging momentum. This duality is also known as complementarity, and it suggests that neither the particle nor wave description is fully accurate, but rather they are both incomplete descriptions of a more complicated phenomenon.
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da_willem
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In the wave particle duality a photon for example propagates as a wave but exchanges momentum as a particle. This looks a lot like what happens to a particle in QM, it has a spread (a wave property) wave function but when it interacts this collapses to a localised narrow 'spike' (a particle property).

Is this what is meant with the wave particle duality, or is there more to it?
 
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he wave particle duality is like this but it simply says, sometimes its easier to talk about light as waves propagating through space and sometimes its easier tot talk about light as photons. Light is in fact both, according to duality, or as Bohr called it complementarity.
 
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There is no difference between matter waves and photon waves. The duality is exactly the same.
 
  • #4
Nenad said:
he wave particle duality is like this but it simply says, sometimes its easier to talk about light as waves propagating through space and sometimes its easier tot talk about light as photons. Light is in fact both, according to duality, or as Bohr called it complementarity.

I like to say that both particle and wave behaviours are incomplete descriptions of something more complicated than both of them. I just shows one "face" or another depending on the conditions. But neither particle nor wave are completele correct models of nothing, just a part of it.
 

Related to Wave Particle Duality: Exploring Beyond QM

What is wave-particle duality?

Wave-particle duality is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that states that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior. This means that particles, such as electrons and photons, can behave as waves with a certain wavelength and frequency, but also as discrete packets of energy.

Who first proposed the concept of wave-particle duality?

The concept of wave-particle duality was first proposed by French physicist Louis de Broglie in 1924. He suggested that all particles, not just light, could exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.

What experiments support the idea of wave-particle duality?

The double-slit experiment, where particles are sent through two closely spaced slits and create an interference pattern, is one of the most commonly cited experiments that supports the concept of wave-particle duality. Other experiments, such as the photoelectric effect and the Compton effect, also demonstrate the dual nature of particles.

What is the significance of wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics?

Wave-particle duality is a key principle in quantum mechanics, as it helps explain the behavior of particles at the subatomic level. It also allows for the development of important technologies, such as transistors and lasers, which rely on the dual nature of particles.

Can wave-particle duality be observed in everyday life?

No, wave-particle duality is only observed at the subatomic level and cannot be seen in everyday life. This is because at larger scales, the wave-like behavior of particles becomes negligible and their particle-like properties dominate.

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