Absorption occurs when radio waves are absorbed by an object. What is the typical effect on the signal?

Absorption occurs when radio waves are absorbed by an object. What is the typical effect on the signal?

• A. It increases signal strength
• B. It reduces signal strength
• C. It changes frequency
• D. It creates a new signal path

Answer: (B)

When a radio wave hits or travels through a material, some of its energy is taken up by the material. That energy is usually converted to heat, so less energy continues on. The result is attenuation—the signal that arrives at the receiver is weaker. The frequency of the portion that gets through generally stays the same, and absorption doesn’t create a new, separate signal path. So the typical effect is a reduction in signal strength.

When a radio wave hits or travels through a material, some of its energy is taken up by the material. That energy is usually converted to heat, so less energy continues on. The result is attenuation—the signal that arrives at the receiver is weaker. The frequency of the portion that gets through generally stays the same, and absorption doesn’t create a new, separate signal path. So the typical effect is a reduction in signal strength.