Compressibility
Definition
Compressibility is a measure of how much the volume of matter decreases under pressure.
Analogy
Think about a sponge. When you apply pressure to it, it shrinks in size. Once you release the pressure, it expands back to its original size. This ability to change volume under different pressures is what we call compressibility.
Related terms
Pressure: The force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed.
Volume: The amount of space that a substance or object occupies.
Elasticity: The ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed; stretchiness.
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