Rarefaction — Science definition
A region of a longitudinal wave where particles are spread farther apart.
Where it is taught
- Sound Waves — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
Questions using rarefaction
Problem 1
Using the words compression and rarefaction, explain how a speaker creates sound.
Answer and explanation
The speaker cone vibrates back and forth, pushing air molecules together to create compressions and pulling them apart to create rarefactions. This repeating pattern travels outward through the air as a sound wave.