Why do particles seem to behave like waves?

Particles such as electrons and photons exhibit wave-like behavior due to the principles of quantum mechanics, specifically wave-particle duality. This concept arises from several key ideas:

**Wave-Particle Duality**: In quantum mechanics, entities like particles can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior depending on the context of the experiment. This duality was famously demonstrated in experiments like the double-slit experiment, where particles, when unobserved, create an interference pattern typical of waves.

**Quantum Superposition**: Particles exist in a superposition of states before being measured. This means that they can simultaneously occupy multiple states or paths, much like how waves can interfere with each other. When a measurement is made, the particle 'collapses' into one of the possible states.

**De Broglie Wavelength**: Louis de Broglie proposed that every particle has an associated wavelength, given by the equation \(\lambda = \frac{h}{p}\), where \(h\) is Planck's constant and \(p\) is the momentum of the particle. This wavelength is what allows particles to exhibit wave-like characteristics.

**Quantum Fields**: In quantum field theory, particles are viewed as excitations in underlying fields that pervade space. These fields can oscillate and produce wave-like phenomena, contributing to the wave behavior observed in particles.

**Probability Waves**: The behavior of particles is described by a wave function, which encodes the probabilities of finding a particle in a particular state. This wave function evolves according to the Schrödinger equation, leading to interference and other wave-like properties.

Overall, the wave-like behavior of particles is a fundamental characteristic of the quantum world, illustrating the non-intuitive nature of reality at microscopic scales.