How does distance affect the strength of radio wave signals?

The concept of how distance affects radio wave signals is grounded in the principles of signal propagation and power distribution. As radio waves travel through space, they spread out in all directions from the source, leading to a decrease in intensity over distance. This phenomenon is generally described by the inverse square law, which states that the strength of a signal decreases with the square of the distance from the source—in other words, as the distance doubles, the signal strength decreases to a quarter of its original value.

This decrease in signal strength is a direct consequence of the energy dissipating over a larger area as the waves move farther from the transmitter. Therefore, when considering the relationship between distance and signal strength, it is accurate to say that signal strength decreases inversely with distance. Consequently, as a recipient moves further away from the transmitter, the received signal becomes weaker, underscoring the importance of proximity in effective communication systems.