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The term "attenuation" specifically refers to the reduction of signal strength as light travels through a fiber optic cable. This phenomenon occurs due to various factors, including absorption of the light by the fiber material, scattering caused by imperfections in the fiber, and bending losses that occur when the fiber is not maintained with proper curvature. Attenuation is crucial in fiber optics as it directly affects the performance and range of the communication system; higher attenuation means that the signal will weaken more quickly, requiring repeaters or amplifiers to maintain signal integrity over long distances.

In contrast, reflection refers to the bouncing back of light when it encounters a boundary, which can occur at fiber optic connections but does not describe overall signal strength loss. Scattering involves the dispersal of light in different directions, which can contribute to attenuation but is not a synonym for it, and diffraction pertains to the bending of waves around obstacles, which isn't applicable in the context of signal strength reduction in fiber optic systems. Thus, attenuation accurately encompasses the comprehensive effects of signal weakening, making it the correct term in this context.