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Abishek
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I know that photons and other particles of comparatively smaller dimension show dual nature. But why? Can someone help me?
Abishek said:I know that photons and other particles of comparatively smaller dimension show dual nature. But why? Can someone help me?
bhobba said:You mean the so called wave particle duality?
Surprisingly the answer is they don't - the wave particle duality is simply a concept from popularisations and beginning texts - see our FAQ:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/is-light-a-wave-or-a-particle.511178/
Its really quantum stuff.
What's quantum stuff - I think the following is a good place to start on that interesting lifelong journey:
http://www.scottaaronson.com/democritus/lec9.html
Thanks
Bill
No...jtbell said:Photons are quantum objects that have their own single nature. They act in some ways that are reminiscent of classical particles, and in other ways that are reminiscent of classical waves.
Do you know the tale about the blind men and the elephant?
Abishek said:OK, so a photon has many characteristics, I get it... My point being, why quantum particles have both wave as well as particle nature? Is there any boundaries for this characteristic?
The dual nature of photon refers to the fact that photons, which are particles of light, exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. This means that they can behave like waves, with properties such as interference and diffraction, as well as particles, with properties such as momentum and energy.
The dual nature of photons is a consequence of quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of particles on a very small scale. According to quantum mechanics, particles can exist as both waves and particles, and the behavior of a particle is determined by its wave function.
The dual nature of photon was first discovered by Albert Einstein in his explanation of the photoelectric effect in 1905. This phenomenon showed that light can behave like particles, with discrete packets of energy (photons) being emitted when light is shone on a metal surface. Later experiments, such as the double-slit experiment, further confirmed the wave-particle duality of photons.
The dual nature of photon has significant implications in fields such as quantum mechanics, optics, and electronics. It has led to the development of technologies such as lasers, which utilize the wave-like properties of photons, as well as devices such as photodiodes, which use the particle-like properties of photons to detect light.
Yes, other particles, such as electrons and protons, also exhibit a dual nature. This is known as wave-particle duality and is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. However, the specific properties and behaviors of each particle's dual nature may differ due to their different masses and charges.