The construction of a coaxial cable serves to prevent ___.

The construction of a coaxial cable primarily serves to prevent electromagnetic interference. Coaxial cables consist of a central conductor, an insulating layer, a metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer. The design creates a cylindrical structure that helps to contain the electromagnetic fields produced by the inner conductor while also shielding it from external electromagnetic noise.

This shielding is critical, especially in applications where signal quality is paramount, such as in television, broadband internet, and other data communications. By isolating the signal from external interference, coaxial cables maintain a clearer and more stable transmission of data, thus ensuring that signals remain intact without degradation.

Although the cable design does provide some level of protection against physical damage and can mitigate certain electrical hazards, those are not the primary purpose of the coaxial construction. Therefore, it is the prevention of electromagnetic interference that stands out as the key benefit of coaxial cable design.