Particle wave duality

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Both light and matter has particle-like and wave-like properties at the same time.

CLASSICAL PHYSICS

PARTICLES

Most objects seen around us behave like particles (e.g. squeaky balls and chew toys), and so their motion is determined by classical physics. Despite the different shapes, the essential motion of objects can be predicted by imagining each is a small ball of predetermined mass (e.g. a particle) and applying Newton's laws of motion.A particle-like object has a definite position and a definite mass. This mass can be multiplied by the velocity of the object to find the momentum (p). Momentum determines what will happen when two particles collide -when a moving object hits a stationary one, the moving object will lose momentum (slow down), while the stationary on will gain momentum (speed up).

Another property of particles is that they can be counted, while waves are a much slipperier topic.

WAVES

NEWTON'S LAWS OF MOTION

Principle of inertia - objects at rest remain at rest, and objects in motion remain in motion UNLESS acted upon by an external force

F=ma - Force equals mass times by acceleration

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction - force of equal strength acting in the opposite direction