What medium does Wi-Fi use to transmit data?

Wi-Fi utilizes radio waves as the medium for transmitting data. This technology operates within specific radio frequency bands, commonly around 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The use of radio waves allows devices like routers and computers to communicate wirelessly over short to moderate distances, enabling mobile devices to connect to networks without the need for physical cables.

Radio waves are particularly suitable for Wi-Fi because they can propagate through the air and can penetrate walls and other obstacles to varying degrees, facilitating a flexible and convenient networking solution. This characteristic makes Wi-Fi a popular choice for home and office networks, allowing users to move freely without being tethered by cables.

The other choices refer to different technologies or mediums that have distinct functions. Optical fibers, for instance, use light to transmit data and are known for high-speed data transmission over longer distances, but they require physical connections. Bluetooth, on the other hand, is a short-range wireless technology used for connecting devices over very short distances, but it doesn't typically provide the same bandwidth or range as Wi-Fi. Finally, Ethernet cables are used for wired connections, relying on electrical signals to transmit data through physical cables, which contrasts with the wireless nature of Wi-Fi.