Wi-Fi range and interference

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Your laptop is in the room next to the router, with two brick walls between them. What will most likely happen to the Wi-Fi signal?

A It gets weaker because of distance and walls

B It stays just as strong as standing next to the router

2. Which choice is the best place for a wireless access point in a house?

A In a central, open spot, up off the floor

B Inside a cupboard in a far corner of the house

3. What does 'interference' mean for a Wi-Fi connection?

A The router is switched off to save power

B Other devices or networks disturb the signal

4. Which of these can cause Wi-Fi interference?

A A microwave oven or many nearby networks

B A printed poster on the wall

5. Everyone in an apartment block uses the same Wi-Fi channel and the connection is slow. What is a good fix?

A Move the router closer to your neighbour's router

B Switch your router to a less crowded channel

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Signal: 4 bars -> 1 bar		AInterference can come from neighbouring networks and devices such as microwaves and Bluetooth gadgets, even in your own home. Try a less crowded channel.
2Channel 6: 12 networks		BA crowded channel, where many nearby networks compete and cause interference that can slow or drop connections
3Place the access point in a central, open spot so the signal reaches every room with fewer walls in the way		CBedroom (2 walls away): signal = weak
4Thick walls and long distances reduce signal strength, so a device far away may lose its connection		DHiding the access point in a closed cupboard at the edge of the house blocks and weakens the signal. It should go in a central, open spot.
5Put the access point in a cupboard at the back of the house, because it looks neater		EThe Wi-Fi signal gets weaker as you move further from the access point or put walls in the way
6My Wi-Fi keeps dropping, so interference can't be the cause as there are no other devices		FAP location = hallway, middle of house

Definitions

Wi-Fi range

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Wi-Fi signal gets ______ as distance grows

Thick _____ block and weaken Wi-Fi signals

Crowded _______ means more interference

Place the access point in a _______ spot

Microwaves can cause ____________

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A IF distance DECREASES THEN

B signal ← weaker

C ELSE

D signal ← stronger

Question 2

A IF channelQuiet THEN

B switch to a quiet channel

C END IF

Question 3

A microwaveOn ← TRUE

B IF microwaveOn THEN

C interference ← NONE

D wifi may slow or drop

Question 4

A SET access point ← hallway

B SET height ← inside a cupboard

C PRINT "Good coverage"

Question 5

A distance ← 40

B IF distance < 30 THEN

C PRINT "Signal weak"

D END IF

Answer Key

Wi-Fi range and interference

Section A: Quick Questions

A — It gets weaker because of distance and walls

A — In a central, open spot, up off the floor

B — Other devices or networks disturb the signal

A — A microwave oven or many nearby networks

B — Switch your router to a less crowded channel

Section B: Match the Pairs

Signal: 4 bars -> 1 bar → The Wi-Fi signal gets weaker as you move further from the access point or put walls in the way

Channel 6: 12 networks → A crowded channel, where many nearby networks compete and cause interference that can slow or drop connections

Place the access point in a central, open spot so the signal reaches every room with fewer walls in the way → AP location = hallway, middle of house

Thick walls and long distances reduce signal strength, so a device far away may lose its connection → Bedroom (2 walls away): signal = weak

Put the access point in a cupboard at the back of the house, because it looks neater → Hiding the access point in a closed cupboard at the edge of the house blocks and weakens the signal. It should go in a central, open spot.

My Wi-Fi keeps dropping, so interference can't be the cause as there are no other devices → Interference can come from neighbouring networks and devices such as microwaves and Bluetooth gadgets, even in your own home. Try a less crowded channel.

Section C: Definitions

Wi-Fi range — How far a Wi-Fi signal reaches. It gets weaker with distance and walls, and interference from other devices on crowded channels can slow or drop your connection.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Wi-Fi signal gets weaker as distance grows

Thick walls block and weaken Wi-Fi signals

Crowded channel means more interference

Place the access point in a central spot

Microwaves can cause interference

Section E: Spot the Error

A — Wi-Fi gets weaker as you move farther from the router, so the condition should be 'distance INCREASES'. If distance decreases, the signal would get stronger.

A — You only need to switch channels when the channel is crowded with other devices. The condition should be 'channelCrowded', not 'channelQuiet'.

C — A running microwave oven can interfere with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Interference should be HIGH, not NONE, which is why the Wi-Fi may slow or drop.

B — An access point should be out in the open and high up so its signal can spread. Hiding it inside a cupboard blocks the signal, so it should be 'high on a shelf'.

B — The signal is weak when the device is FAR from the router, so the test should be distance > 30. Using < would print 'Signal weak' when the device is close.