Coaxial cable is described as what due to the potential differences in the conductors?

Coaxial cable is described as unbalanced primarily because it consists of a central conductor and an outer shield, which creates an unequal distribution of impedance between the two conductors. In coaxial cables, the inner conductor carries the signal while the outer conductor serves as a shield against electromagnetic interference. The configuration inherently leads to potential differences between these conductors, categorizing it as unbalanced.

An unbalanced system doesn't have symmetrical properties when it comes to voltage and current distributions, which can result in various performance characteristics including susceptibility to external noise and signal distortion. This contrasts with balanced cables, which use two conductors that carry equal currents and voltages, allowing for effective noise cancellation and improved performance in environments with high electromagnetic interference.

In terms of the other options, "isolated" does not specifically refer to the conductor configuration in coaxial cables, while "balanced" describes cables like twisted pairs that have similar characteristics in both conductors. "Shielded," while a feature of coaxial cables, does not address the nature of the conductors' potential differences. Thus, the most accurate description in this context is unbalanced, due to the inherent structure and operational characteristics of coaxial cables.