Question

Propagation of sound can be visualized as:

• A. The propagation of density variations.
• B. The propagation of pressure variations.
• C. A series of compressions and rarefactions.
• D. All of these.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

All of these.

During vibration, when a particle moves forward, it compresses the air in front of it and creates a high pressure or high density region. This region is called compression. When a particle moves backward, it creates a low pressure or low density region. This region is called rarefaction. Thus a sound wave have consecutive high pressure and low pressure regions which we call compression and rarefaction respectively.