What is the consequence when a signal encounters a load with an impedance different from the transmission line's characteristic impedance?

Answer

A portion of the signal power is reflected back toward the source.

Impedance mismatch causes energy to be reflected back toward the source, representing a loss of signal strength at the receiving end.

What is the consequence when a signal encounters a load with an impedance different from the transmission line's characteristic impedance?
resistanceSignalLosscircuitAttenuation