Which phenomenon causes signal degradation when a high-frequency electromagnetic wave propagates through a conductive medium?

💡 Explanation

Interaction with the conductive medium induces eddy currents within the conductor due to the changing magnetic field of the wave; this mechanism, called the skin effect, concentrates current near the surface leading to exponential decay of the wave as it penetrates. Signal attenuation results, rather than signal distortion, broadening or reflection which involves different mechanisms.

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