Which of the following describes light's behavior according to wave-particle duality?

The concept of wave-particle duality is fundamental to quantum mechanics and describes the dual nature of light and other subatomic particles. According to this principle, light can exhibit properties of both waves and particles depending on the experimental conditions and the manner in which it is observed.

When light is viewed as a wave, it demonstrates behaviors such as interference and diffraction, which are characteristics of wave phenomena. These effects can be observed in experiments like the double-slit experiment, where light produces an interference pattern, indicating its wave nature.

Conversely, light can also exhibit particle-like behavior, particularly in phenomena like the photoelectric effect, where photons (the particle aspect of light) interact with electrons and cause their ejection from a material. This scenario illustrates that light can be treated as discrete packets of energy rather than a continuous wave.

The description that light acts as both a particle and a wave encapsulates the essence of wave-particle duality, highlighting that light does not conform strictly to one description or another but instead can embody both aspects simultaneously based on context. This understanding is critical in various fields of physics and chemistry, influencing how light is utilized and interpreted in different scientific applications.