Why does Wi-Fi have limited range?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Radio waves weaken with distance
Radio waves weaken with distance ✓ — Correct! WiFi uses radio waves that naturally spread out and weaken as they travel through space - following the inverse square law. Walls, furniture, and other obstacles absorb and reflect these waves, reducing signal strength. The 2.4GHz frequency penetrates walls better but has shorter theoretical range than 5GHz, which is faster but more easily blocked. This is why you get better WiFi closer to the router!
Air absorbs all signals — Wrong. Air doesn't absorb all radio signals - they can travel quite far. However, radio waves do naturally weaken as they spread out, and solid objects like walls absorb and reflect them significantly.
Too many devices connected — Wrong. Too many devices can slow your WiFi speed by sharing bandwidth, but it doesn't reduce the signal range. The limited range is due to radio waves weakening with distance.
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