How do sound particles behave during compression in a sound wave?

During compression in a sound wave, particles of the medium (such as air or water) are forced closer together. This is because sound waves are longitudinal waves, meaning the vibrations of the particles occur parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

As a sound wave passes through a medium, areas of compression are formed where the particles are densely packed together. In these compressions, the increased pressure results from these particles moving closer together due to the energy imparted by the vibrating source of the sound. This creates a region of high pressure followed by regions of low pressure (rarefactions), where the particles are further apart.

Understanding this behavior is crucial, as it explains how sound travels through different mediums and why denser materials (like solids) typically transmit sound better than less dense materials (like gases).