Certified Fiber Optics Practice Exam

Which element is primarily responsible for guiding light in a fiber optic cable?

1. Buffer

2. Outer jacket

3. Core

4. Cladding

The correct answer is: Core

The core is the central part of a fiber optic cable and is primarily responsible for guiding light. It is made of a material with a higher refractive index compared to the surrounding cladding, which allows for the total internal reflection of light. When light is transmitted through the core, it reflects off the interface between the core and the cladding, allowing the light to be transmitted over long distances without significant loss. The other elements of a fiber optic cable serve different functions. The cladding, while crucial for the transmission process, is not responsible for guiding light but instead facilitates the total internal reflection that occurs within the core. The buffer and outer jacket provide physical protection and insulation to the fiber but do not play a role in the guiding of light. Understanding the importance of the core in fiber optic technology is vital for grasping how communication signals are effectively transmitted through fiber optics.