What type of device is likely to cause a high number of data collisions in a network?

A hub is likely to cause a high number of data collisions in a network because it operates at the physical layer of the OSI model and uses a method called "packet broadcasting." When a device connected to a hub sends data, the hub broadcasts that data to all ports. This means that every device connected to the hub receives the data, regardless of whether the data is intended for them or not.

Since multiple devices can transmit data simultaneously over a shared bandwidth, it leads to a situation where two or more devices might try to send data at the same time. When this happens, the signals collide, resulting in data collisions. After a collision occurs, the devices involved need to retransmit their data after waiting for a random amount of time, which can significantly slow down network performance as the number of devices increases.

In contrast, switches operate intelligently by directing data to specific devices rather than broadcasting to all ports, significantly reducing the chances of collisions. Routers operate at a higher layer and manage traffic between different networks, while bridges connect two network segments and filter traffic, also helping to reduce collisions. Thus, hubs are the most prone to causing data collisions in a network environment.