Which material is commonly used for fiber optic cables?

Glass is commonly used for fiber optic cables due to its excellent properties for transmitting data over long distances. Glass fibers work by utilizing the principle of total internal reflection, allowing light signals to be transmitted with minimal loss of strength or quality. The purity of the glass and its ability to bend light effectively make it ideal for high-speed data communication.

While plastic is also used for certain types of fiber optic cables, especially in less demanding applications where lower costs and flexibility are essential, glass remains the preferred material for most telecommunication applications. This preference is primarily because glass fibers can carry signals over much longer distances without significant signal degradation compared to plastic.

Copper, although traditionally used in electrical wiring, is not suitable for fiber optics since it transmits electrical signals rather than light signals. Similarly, PVC, which is often used as an outer protective sheath for cables, does not have any role in the actual transmission of data through fiber optics. Thus, glass stands out as the material that is both effective and essential for fiber optic cable construction.