True or False: Attenuation is caused by the absorption of light from connectors and splices in the fiber cable.

The correct answer is true. Attenuation in fiber optic cables is indeed influenced by the absorption of light, particularly at points where the fibers are connected or spliced.

When light travels through a fiber optic cable, it can lose strength due to various factors. One major contributor is the absorption of light by the materials used in connectors and splices, which can limit the distance that light can effectively travel through the fiber. This effect is more pronounced in connector faces and splice points where the fibers meet, as imperfections or mismatches in the materials can cause additional loss of signal.

Understanding attenuation is crucial for designing effective fiber optic systems because it helps in managing signal strength over long distances and ensures optimal performance by mitigating losses at each connection point.