← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Wi-Fi

A wireless network technology that uses radio waves to connect devices to a router or access point, usually by joining a network name and password on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 17, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 12

Understanding Wi-Fi in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Radio waves carry the data through the air, so no cable is needed between the device and the router. Joining Wi-Fi means picking the network name (SSID) and entering the password so the router lets the device connect. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology, so devices can connect to the network without plugging in a cable. Wi-Fi commonly uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands. GB measures storage, not radio bands. Wi-Fi can use the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band. The 5 GHz band sends data faster over a shorter range. The broken code describes a wired connection such as Ethernet, which is not how Wi-Fi works.

Common mistakes: Wi-Fi sends data using radio waves, not sound waves. The line should be signal = 'radio waves'. The 5 GHz band is usually faster than 2.4 GHz, but it has a shorter range. The line should be speed = 'faster'.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 54–68) and word search (Modules 13–68).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Wi-Fi connects devices to a router or access point using...

Radio wavesEthernet cables

Matches

Wi-Fi connects devices using a network cable

↓

Wi-Fi is wireless. It uses radio waves, not a cable, to connect devices to the router or access point.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Wi-Fi

Meaning

A wireless network technology that uses radio waves to connect devices to a router or access point, usually by joining a network name and password on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.

Practice

Wi-Fi uses radio waves to reach a router

Testing

Gaps

wifi.send(data, using=)

Check Answer

Spots

2password = 'blue42cat'

3signal = 'sound waves'

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Quick Questions

1. Wi-Fi connects devices to a router or access point using...

A. Ethernet cables

B. Radio waves ✓

Wi-Fi is wireless. It sends data through the air as radio waves instead of through a cable.

2. Which statement about Wi-Fi is correct?

A. It needs a cable plugged into every device

B. It lets a laptop join a network without a cable ✓

Wi-Fi is a wireless technology, so devices can connect to the network without plugging in a cable.

3. To join a home Wi-Fi network, you usually choose the network name and then enter...

A. The password ✓

B. The cable length

You pick the network name (SSID) from the list and type the password to join a secured Wi-Fi network.

4. Which two things are Wi-Fi bands?

A. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ✓

B. 4 GB and 8 GB

Wi-Fi commonly uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands. GB measures storage, not radio bands.

5. A device connects to Wi-Fi through which piece of equipment?

A. A router or access point ✓

B. A keyboard or mouse

A router or wireless access point sends and receives the radio signals that let devices join the network.

Match the Pairs

SSID = "HomeWiFi" → The network name a device looks for and picks when joining a Wi-Fi network

band = "5 GHz" → A Wi-Fi radio band that is usually faster but covers a shorter distance than 2.4 GHz

Wi-Fi sends data between a device and a router using radio waves instead of cables → connection = "radio waves"

To join a Wi-Fi network, a device needs the network name and the correct password → join("HomeWiFi", password)

Wi-Fi connects devices using a network cable → Wi-Fi is wireless. It uses radio waves, not a cable, to connect devices to the router or access point.

band = "3 GHz" → Wi-Fi uses the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band. There is no 3 GHz Wi-Fi band in this topic.

Key Term

Wi-Fi

A wireless network technology that uses radio waves to connect devices to a router or access point, usually by joining a network name and password on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.

Fill in the Blanks

1. wifi.send(data, using=radioWaves)

Hint: Type the kind of wave Wi-Fi uses to carry data through the air.

2. wifi.join(networkName, password)

Hint: Type the variable for the name the router shows, so you can pick which network to join.

3. wifi.join(networkName, password)

Hint: Type the variable for the secret the student must enter to be allowed onto a protected network.

4. wifi.setBandGHz(5)

Hint: Type the band number that is faster but has a shorter range.

5. wifi.setBandGHz(2.4)

Hint: Type the band number that reaches further and passes through walls better.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A network_name = 'HomeWiFi'

B password = 'blue42cat'

C signal = 'sound waves'

D join(network_name, password)

Line C — Wi-Fi sends data using radio waves, not sound waves. The line should be signal = 'radio waves'.

Question 2

A band = '5 GHz'

B range = 'shorter'

C speed = 'slower'

Line C — The 5 GHz band is usually faster than 2.4 GHz, but it has a shorter range. The line should be speed = 'faster'.

Question 3

A wifi_on = True

B name = 'SchoolNet'

C password = 'maths2025'

D join(name)

Line D — To join a secured Wi-Fi network you need the network name and the password. The line should be join(name, password).

Question 4

A router = 'Wi-Fi router'

B laptop.plug_into(router)

C print('Connected by radio')

Line B — Wi-Fi is wireless, so the laptop connects to the router using radio waves, not by plugging in a cable. The line should be laptop.connect_to(router).

Question 5

A wifi = 'wired network'

B uses = 'radio waves'

C connects = 'device to router'

Line A — Wi-Fi is a wireless network technology, not a wired one. The line should be wifi = 'wireless network'.

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