How Do Mass Attachments Affect Wave Reflection and Transmission on a String?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on analyzing wave reflection and transmission at a mass attached to a string, emphasizing the boundary conditions at the point of attachment. The coefficients for reflection (R) and transmission (T) are given by R = sin²θ and T = cos²θ, with tanθ = Mω²/(2kτ). The user struggles to determine the transmitted wave function (ψ_t) due to the uniform density of the string on both sides of the mass. A hint suggests applying Newton's second law to derive the net force on the mass, leading to the necessary equations for solving the problem. The thread highlights the importance of understanding wave behavior in systems with mass attachments.
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Homework Statement


Consider an infinitely long continuous string with tension \tau. A mass M is attached to the string at x=0. If a wave train with velocity \frac{\omega}{k} is incident from the left, show that reflection and transmission occur at x=0 and that the coefficients R and T are given.
Consider carefully the boundary condition on the derivatives of the wave functions at x=0. What are the phase changes for the reflected and transmitted waves?

Homework Equations


i. R = sin^2\theta
ii. T = cos^2\theta
iii. tan\theta = \frac{M\omega^2}{2k\tau}
iv. \psi_1(x,t) = \psi_i + \psi_r = Ae^{i(\omega t - kx)} + Be^{i(\omega t + kx)}
v. \psi_2(x,t) = \psi_t, however, I do not know what this is.

** note ** \psi_i is the incident wave, \psi_r is the reflected wave, and \psi_t is the transmitted wave

The Attempt at a Solution


I am used to dealing with situations where the string is of 2 different densities, therefore, \psi_t will have a different value for k than \psi_i. However, in this case, the densities are the same on either side of the mass, and the only obstruction is the mass. If I knew how to find an equation for \psi_2(x,t), then I could potentially solve the rest of the problem.
Thank you.
 
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I still haven't reached any solution to my problem.

Any help is appreciated.
 
EDIT: Ignore this post. The result leads nowhere.

According to my calculations, this is true: \frac{d^2\psi_1}{dt^2}(0,t) = \frac{d^2\psi_2}{dt^2}(0,t)

Do you see why?

Hint: Apply Newton's (2nd?) Law to the central mass and find an expression for the net force on M
 
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I realize this is due in about ~1/2 hour, but the second boundary condition is given by:
M\frac{d^2\psi_1}{dt^2} = M\frac{d^2\psi_2}{dt^2} = \tau \left( \frac{d\psi_1}{dx} - \frac{d\psi_2}{dx}\right) (0,t)
 
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