Reflection and Transmission of Waves
When a pulse is produced along a rope or slinky that has a free end, the wave is reflected back along the same side, with the same amplitude.
When a pulse is produced along a rope or slinky that has a fixed end, the wave is reflected back along the opposite side, with the same amplitude.
We can apply this idea to two ropes or slinkys hooked together: When a light spring is hooked to a heavy spring as shown, the heavy end acts as a fixed end. The reflected wave is flipped, but a transmitted wave continues along the same side. The amplitude of both is now less than the original.
When a heavy spring is hooked to a light spring as shown, the light end acts as a free end. The reflected wave stays on the same side, and a transmitted wave continues along the same side. The amplitude of both is now less than the original.