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Modern construction of guitars is an example of using rarefaction in manufacturing. By forcing the reduction of density (loss of oils and other impurities) in the cellular structure of the soundboard, a rarefied guitar top produces a tonal decompression affecting the sound of the instrument,
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Rarefaction waves expand with time (much like sea waves spread out as they reach a beach); in most cases rarefaction waves keep the same overall profile ('shape') at all times throughout the wave's movement: it is a
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This article is about the physical process. For the ecological technique, see
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A natural example of rarefaction occurs in the layers of
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is the reduction of an item's density, the opposite of
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Rarefaction can be easily observed by compressing a
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