Answer to Question #279411 in Mechanics | Relativity for Ahmad

Question

A wave pulse travelling to the right along a thin cord reaches a discontinuity where the rope becomes thicker and denser. What is the orientation of the reflected and transmitted pulses?

Answer 1

Explanation and answer

• This arrangement in the said direction: thin to thicker defines the fixed boundary conditions at the joint by the thicker rope.
• Therefore, the portion of wave energy transferred onto the thicker rope would be transmitted in a pulse oriented the same way as the original pulse.
• In contrast, the portion of energy reflected back onto the thinner rope would be transmitted in an inverted pulse compared to the original pulse.