A very long light nylon cord (Medium X) is spliced to a lighter polyethylene cord (Medium Y) so that the two cords remain under identical tension. A narrow, upward-oriented transverse pulse of amplitude 4 cm travels along Medium X toward the splice. Measurements give the following wave speeds:
• Medium X: 8 m/s
• Medium Y: 14 m/s
(a) Determine whether the pulse reflected back into Medium X is inverted or upright. State your reasoning clearly.
(b) On a clearly labeled set of axes whose horizontal axis represents position along the cord and whose vertical axis represents transverse displacement, sketch qualitative snapshots showing (i) the incident pulse just before reaching the splice and (ii) the reflected and transmitted pulses a short instant after the interaction. Indicate the orientation (upward or downward) and relative amplitude of each pulse in your sketch.