Which pairing describes the two characteristics of less attenuation?

• A. Longer distances and Higher frequencies
• B. Shorter distances and Lower frequencies
• C. Longer distances and Lower frequencies
• D. Shorter distances and Higher frequencies

Answer: (B)

Attenuation is the loss of signal strength as it travels through a medium. Two big factors that affect how much attenuation occurs are the distance the signal must cover and the frequency of the signal. As distance increases, more energy is absorbed or scattered, so attenuation grows. Higher frequencies interact with the medium more and lose more energy per unit distance, so attenuation is greater at higher frequencies. Therefore, the least attenuation happens when the signal travels a shorter distance and uses a lower frequency. This pairing captures that idea. (Note: using lower frequencies reduces attenuation but can also reduce resolution, so there’s a trade-off depending on the context.)