Which term describes the position of particles in a wave at high and low pressures?

The term that describes the position of particles in a wave at high and low pressures is "compression and rarefaction." In a sound wave, which is a type of longitudinal wave, compressions are regions where particles are closely packed together, resulting in higher pressure. Conversely, rarefactions are areas where particles are more spread out, leading to lower pressure. This alternating pattern of compressions and rarefactions allows sound waves to travel through a medium by causing particles to oscillate back and forth along the direction of wave propagation. Understanding these concepts is key to grasping how sound waves interact with the environment and how they are perceived by our ears.