Fiber optic cables look very different from traditional metal cables; instead of copper wires, they are made of thin strands of glass or plastic.
Composition of Fiber Optic Cables
- Core Material: Fiber optic cables are composed of extremely thin strands, approximately the width of a human hair, that are made of either flexible glass or plastic.
- Cladding: Each strand is covered with a reflective material called cladding, which helps keep the light signals within the core.
- Not Metal: Unlike conventional cables, fiber optic cables do not contain any metal wiring such as copper.
Appearance and Characteristics
- Thin Strands: The individual fibers are very thin and flexible, similar to a strand of hair.
- Light Transmission: These cables utilize light to transmit signals, unlike traditional electrical cables that rely on the flow of electrons.
Summary of Fiber Optic Cable Structure
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Material | Very thin strands of glass or plastic |
| Thickness | About the width of a human hair |
| Cladding | Reflective material surrounding the core |
| Material | Not metal-based, using glass or plastic |
| Signal Type | Transmits data using light rather than electricity |
In summary, a fiber optic cable contains extremely thin glass or plastic strands, each about the width of human hair and coated in a reflective material, making it very different from a traditional metal cable.
