Final answer:
The 'zipper' RF artifact is caused by interference from electronic devices, faulty RF cable connections, and improper grounding. These compromises in signal integrity are similar to how a leaky microwave can interfere with WiFi, and the lag in live broadcasts is due to signal travel time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of the RF artifact called "zipper" can be attributed to interference from nearby electronic devices, faulty RF cable connections, and improper grounding. Such artifacts are common in imaging techniques like MRI, where RF interference disrupts the signal, causing spurious results in the form of a zipper-like pattern across the image. For example, a leaky microwave oven can interfere with WiFi systems by emitting RF waves that overlap with the WiFi frequency, causing data transfer errors and connectivity issues. Additionally, delays observed during a live broadcast between a studio anchor and a remote reporter are often caused by the time required for the signal to travel long distances, which may involve satellite relays or other transmission means. The resultant latency is noticed as a lag in conversation.