Final answer:
The graphic representation of a sound wave's compressions and rarefaction patterns in relation to amplitude and time is known as a waveform. Waveform graphs visually display the pressure variations and capture the amplitude, frequency, and propagation of the sound wave. Option 2) Waveform is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The graphic representation of a sound wave's compressions and rarefaction patterns shown as amplitude and time is a waveform. This visual display represents how the pressure varies with time or distance from the source. Compressions are regions of high pressure while rarefactions are regions of low pressure, akin to the crests and troughs seen in transverse waves.
In a sound wave, amplitude corresponds to the height of these patterns and indicates the loudness or volume of the sound. The time or distance axis showcases the wave's propagation through space. A graph of gauge pressure versus distance from a source, such as one from a vibrating string or a speaker cone in motion, can be shown in similar forms illustrating the alternation between compressions and rarefactions over distance.
Through these visuals, one can analyze various properties of sound waves, including their wavelength, frequency, and amplitude, all of which are crucial components in the study of acoustics and wave physics.
The correct option for the graphic representation of a sound wave's compressions and rarefaction patterns shown as amplitude and time is (2) Waveform.