In the context of wave behavior, what is rarefaction?

Rarefaction refers to the region in a longitudinal wave where particles are spread apart, which is a crucial concept in understanding wave behavior. In a longitudinal wave, such as sound, the wave propagates through the compression and rarefaction of particles.

In the areas where rarefaction occurs, the distance between the particles increases, resulting in lower pressure compared to the areas of compression where particles are closely packed together. This alternating pattern of compression and rarefaction is essential for the wave to transmit energy through a medium.

Understanding rarefaction helps differentiate between the various characteristics of waves, especially when studying sound and other types of longitudinal waves.