Are Particles Theoretically Tangible?

[polymath257]

The particle is never detected at two places at the same time. But there are multiple places where it has non-zero probability of being detected.

Yes, there are locations within the probability wave. For example, the electron orbitals are 'standing waves' for the electrons. But the different orbitals have different shapes, different energies, and different properties. And the nucleus is at the center of that, with the *proton and neutron* 'standing waves' inside of that smaller space. When two atoms bind together in a chemical bond, the probability waves overlap and interfere, which reduces the total energy and gives the strength of the bond.

Furthermore, the actual detected positions are much smaller than the 'size' of those standing waves. So it really doesn't work to regard the wave as the whole particle.

So instead of picturing an electron buzzing around within its probability wave at extreme speeds, or being the whole wave itself, would it be better to imagine the electron… teleporting within its probability wave? And the nature of where it teleports within the wave is truly random?

That is closer, but it still has the idea that the particle has a definite position at all times.