What is the difference between compression and rarefaction

Login Register. We have received your request successfully. Our counselor will call to confirm your booking. Install the app to watch our videos and get a crystal clear understanding of concepts. Rare fraction. A region of particles are close together.

A region of particles are loosely packed. This is the region with higher air pressure than the surrounding. This is the region with relatively low air pressure. X Thank you for registering with us.

Please login with the same password. Encyclopedia of academic concepts Articles and project ideas Expert opinion on doubts Sample papers, board papers and exam tips Latest updates from education sector. Please choose your registered Email Id. Continue the Learning and Knowledge Sharing journey. A compression is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are closest together. A rarefaction is a region in a longitudinal wave where the particles are furthest apart.

In the compression, there is temporary decrease in volume of the medium and increase in density. In the rarefaction, there is temporary increase in volume of the medium and decrease in density. The distance between the particles in compression is less than the normal distance. The distance between the particles in the rarefaction is greater than the normal distance. The center of compression is the position of maximum pressure and maximum density.

The centre of rarefaction is a position of minimum temperature and minimum density. Sound waves can also consist of high- and low-pressure patterns transferring through a medium; in these instances, the sound wave is classified as a pressure wave. However, these two classifications are typically marked by crests and troughs throughout the wave, rather than compression and rarefaction. Longitudinal waves often result from sound moving through air specifically. Particles in the air are affected in a direction that is parallel with the direction in which the sound energy is moving.

This difference in the particles' reactions when a sound energy wave moves through the air results in compression and rarefaction, rather than crests and troughs.