Final answer:
A signal containing a wide range of frequencies sent through a transmission line with non-uniform group delay will result in different frequencies being delayed differently, causing signal distortion at the output. This dispersion leads to phase alterations and can cause smearing of the signal over time, which may interfere with signal integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sending a signal that contains a wide range of frequencies through a transmission line which does not have a uniform group delay, the various frequency components of the signal will experience different delays. This is because group delay, referring to the time it takes for a signal to pass through a system, is a function of frequency in a media with dispersion. If the group delay is not uniform across the frequency band of the signal, each frequency component will arrive at the output of the transmission line at a different time.
This means that the signal at the output of the transmission line will be distorted compared to the input signal. Signals that were originally in phase might arrive out of phase, which can alter the original shape of the signal. This effect is similar to the phenomenon of dispersion in optics where different colors of light travel at different speeds through a medium, leading to the spreading out of a pulse.
For example, if we send a digital signal, which consists of a rapid succession of different frequency components, through such a transmission line, the bits may spread out and overlap with one another, leading to intersymbol interference. Thus, the output signal would appear smeared in time, making it difficult to discern the original transmitted information accurately.