Final answer:
Wireless links differ from wired links because wireless communication suffers from signal attenuation as it passes through matter, whereas wired communications have a more stable transmission with less interference.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question '___ links are different from ___ ones in that the former suffers attenuation of the radio signal as it propagates through matter' is a. Wireless, wired. This is because wireless communication links suffer from attenuation due to the dispersal of radio signals as they propagate through the atmosphere or other materials. In contrast, wired links, such as fiber optic or copper cables, do not suffer from this type of signal loss due to atmospheric conditions, although they can experience other types of loss, such as resistive or conductive loss over long distances.
Wired and wireless links represent different methods of data transmission. Wired links tend to be more reliable and secure since they are less susceptible to interference and eavesdropping. However, wireless communication offers more flexibility and mobility, as it does not rely on physical connections. Issues such as radio wave interference and the need for clear line of sight can affect the signal quality and strength of wireless communications.