CBSE · Class 12 · Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and MatterWhat is meant by the dual nature of radiation and matter?

The dual nature of radiation and matter implies that depending on the circumstances, radiation and matter exhibit sometimes wave-like properties and sometimes particle-like properties. In phenomena like interference, diffraction, and polarization, light behaves as a wave, whereas in phenomena like the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering, it behaves as a stream of particles called photons. Similarly, moving material particles like electrons also exhibit wave characteristics under certain conditions.