Final answer:
The network interface card (NIC) usually provides the physical connection between a PC and a network, through either wired or wireless means.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most often, the network interface card (NIC) provides the physical connection between the PC and the network. The NIC is a hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network via a wired or wireless connection. Wired connections typically involve an Ethernet cable that runs from the computer's NIC to a switch or router, forming part of a local area network (LAN). On the other hand, wireless connections utilize a wireless NIC to connect to a Wi-Fi network.