What is a high-pressure area in a sound wave known as?

A high-pressure area in a sound wave is referred to as compression. In the context of wave motion, sound waves propagate through a medium in the form of alternating regions of high and low pressure. Compression occurs when particles in the medium are pushed closer together, resulting in an increase in pressure – this is where the wave's energy is concentrated and where the wave peaks.

In contrast, rarefaction is the region where particles are more spread out, leading to a decrease in pressure. Reflection involves the bouncing back of waves when they encounter a barrier, while refraction pertains to the bending of waves as they pass through different mediums or change speed. Understanding these terms helps in analyzing sound wave behavior in various environments, which is crucial in fields such as acoustics and oceanography.