Final answer:
100Base-FX fiber optic cables use one strand for transmitting data and another for receiving data, employing total internal reflection within the fibers to maintain low attenuation and offer high bandwidth and reduced crosstalk.
Step-by-step explanation:
100Base-FX, a fiber optic version of Fast Ethernet, requires multimode fiber cable with at least two strands for operation. One strand is used to transmit data while the other is used to receive data, facilitating full-duplex communication. The principle of total internal reflection allows light signals to travel with minimal loss due to the core of the fiber having a higher index of refraction compared to the cladding material.
The cladding acts as a mirror to keep the light within the core, enabling it to traverse long distances with reduced distortion and lower risk of signal loss, known as low attenuation. Moreover, due to the properties of fiber optics, multiple signals can travel through the fiber simultaneously, leading to high bandwidth capacities and reduced crosstalk between cables.