What does compression refer to in a longitudinal wave?

Compression in a longitudinal wave refers to the section where particles are close together. In longitudinal waves, such as sound waves, the motion of the medium's particles occurs in the same direction as the wave itself. During compression, particles are pushed closer together due to the energy being transferred through the medium, which results in areas of higher pressure. This contrasts with rarefaction, where particles are spread further apart. Understanding this concept is essential as it helps describe the behavior and properties of waves, particularly how they propagate through different media.