Explain how physical barriers and interference affect wireless communication.

Question

Accepted Answer

Physical barriers such as walls, floors, furniture, and other obstacles can block or weaken wireless signals, reducing the range and strength of a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection - infrared signals, for example, are easily blocked by walls and work only over very short distances. Interference from other electronic devices, overlapping wireless networks, or environmental conditions (such as rain, for satellite/wireless links) can disrupt signals, causing slower speeds, dropped connections, or reduced throughput compared to the maximum possible bandwidth. This is why wireless connections can be less stable and less secure than wired connections, which are less affected by such factors.