Question

what happens during a rarefaction of a sound wave?
the particles that a sound wave passes through are spread out.
the particles that a sound wave passes through are annihilated.
the particles that a sound wave passes through are pressed together.

Explanation:

Sound waves are longitudinal waves. In a rarefaction of a sound wave, the particles of the medium (through which the sound wave is traveling) are spread out. Annihilation of particles is not a physical phenomenon in wave propagation. When particles are pressed together, it is called a compression (not a rarefaction) in a longitudinal wave.

Answer:

The particles that a sound wave passes through are spread out.