As a wireless signal moves away from the transmission source, it becomes weaker. What is this phenomenon called?

• A. Reflection
• B. Attenuation
• C. Diffraction
• D. Absorption

Answer: (B)

As a wireless signal travels away from a transmitter, its strength diminishes because the energy spreads over a larger area and some of it is lost to the environment. This overall reduction in signal power with distance is called attenuation. It’s a general term that covers the energy loss due to distance (path loss) and other effects like absorption by the medium. Other terms describe specific interactions: reflection is bouncing off surfaces, diffraction is bending around obstacles, and absorption is energy taken up by the medium itself. Attenuation best captures the idea of the signal becoming weaker as it moves away.