Energy per wavelength of a transverse string wave ($E_{\lambda }=\mu A^2{\omega }^2\lambda /2$)

For a small-slope travelling wave $y=A\cos (kx-\omega t+\varphi )$ on a uniform string with linear mass density $\mu$ and tension $T$, the wave equation on a string requires ${\omega }^2=T{k}^2/\mu$. Its elastic energy of a small-slope string and kinetic energy density are equal, giving total energy density $u=\mu A^2{\omega }^2{\sin }^2(kx-\omega t+\varphi )$. Its spatial average is $\mu A^2{\omega }^2/2$, and integrating over a full wavelength $\lambda =2\pi /|k|$ gives the title formula. Omitting $\lambda$ produces an energy density, not an energy; units and a direct one-period integral detect the mistake independently.