Low-pressure regions are called

Low-pressure regions are called

• A. Compressions
• B. Refractions
• C. Oscillations
• D. Rarefactions

Answer: (D)

In a sound wave, air particles move back and forth, creating alternating regions of higher and lower pressure. When the particles crowd together, the pressure rises above the surrounding air—this is a compression. When they spread apart, the pressure drops below the surrounding air, producing a rarefaction. So the low-pressure region is called a rarefaction. Refractions involve bending of waves when they change medium, not a specific pressure region. Oscillations describe the back-and-forth motion, not the pressure pattern. Compressions are the high-pressure regions, the opposite of what’s being asked.

In a sound wave, air particles move back and forth, creating alternating regions of higher and lower pressure. When the particles crowd together, the pressure rises above the surrounding air—this is a compression. When they spread apart, the pressure drops below the surrounding air, producing a rarefaction. So the low-pressure region is called a rarefaction.

Refractions involve bending of waves when they change medium, not a specific pressure region. Oscillations describe the back-and-forth motion, not the pressure pattern. Compressions are the high-pressure regions, the opposite of what’s being asked.