Past exam of the mathematical methods II course of the University of Oxford / 2016 resit / 10 / c / ii / Solution

At the same tension, $k\propto \sqrt{\rho }$, so $k_2/k_1=3$, $t=1/2$ and $r=-1/2$. The transmitted power fraction is not $t^2$, because the two strings have different wave impedances. Using the energy flux of a transverse string wave,The reflected fraction is $\mathcal{R}=|r{|}^2=1/4$, so $\mathcal{R}+\mathcal{T}=1$. The transmitted displacement amplitude is $2.5\mathrm{mm}$ and its wavelength is $0.5/3\mathrm{m}$. The negative $r$ indicates a reflected phase reversal; it does not mean negative reflected energy.