In the field of physics, the difference between a wave and a particle lies in their fundamental nature and behavior.
A wave is a disturbance or oscillation that propagates through a medium or space, carrying energy from one location to another without the physical transfer of matter. Waves exhibit properties such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. Examples of waves include electromagnetic waves (like light and radio waves) and mechanical waves (like sound waves and water waves). Waves often exhibit wave-particle duality, meaning they can display both wave-like and particle-like characteristics under certain conditions.
On the other hand, a particle is a localized entity with distinct mass and position. Particles are characterized by their mass, charge, and other intrinsic properties. They can occupy specific locations in space at any given time. Particles can exhibit behaviors such as momentum, energy, and interaction with other particles.
The duality between waves and particles is a central concept in quantum mechanics. Some experiments and observations demonstrate that particles, such as electrons and photons, can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviors depending on the experimental setup or observation method used. This duality is captured by wave-particle dual nature or the concept of quantum superposition.