Directions: Read the passage and answer the question:
In the realm of quantum physics, particles exhibit a peculiar duality. The term "wave-particle duality" encapsulates this enigma. It refers to the phenomenon where particles, such as electrons or photons, can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviour, depending on the experimental conditions and the method of observation.
Consider the electron. In some experiments, it behaves as if it were a wave, showing interference patterns and diffraction. In others, it manifests as a discrete particle, localizable in space. This duality challenges our classical intuitions about the nature of reality and necessitates a paradigm shift in our understanding of the fundamental constituents of the universe.
Moreover, this duality extends beyond the realm of subatomic particles. It finds echoes in the realms of philosophy and human consciousness, prompting profound questions about the nature of reality itself. Are we, like particles, imbued with a duality that transcends our conventional understanding? Could there be hidden waves of consciousness underlying our tangible experiences?
Questions:
In the context of quantum physics, what does the term "wave-particle duality" refer to?
The ability of particles to behave both as waves and particles
The mysterious duality of light as both wave and particle
The paradoxical nature of electrons
The enigma of quantum experiments
The passage explicitly defines "wave-particle duality" as the phenomenon where particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviour.