Final answer:
The quantity of x-ray output decreases with distance because the energy is spread over a larger area, while the quality or energy per photon remains consistent, so the quality does not decrease. Hence, the correct answer is b) Quality increases, while quantity decreases with distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
How distance affects x-ray output in terms of quantity and quality can be understood by examining the behavior of radiation with increasing distance. The quantity, or intensity, of x-ray output decreases with distance, because as the x-rays travel further away from the source, their energy spreads out over a larger area. This is similarly illustrated by the principle that the energy of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, meaning a source will appear dimmer at greater distances. Regarding the quality, which can relate to the penetrative ability of the x-rays, it generally remains consistent because the energy of the x-rays (and therefore their penetrative ability) does not change simply due to distance; however, scattering may affect perceived quality.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: b) Quality increases, while quantity decreases with distance. As the distance from the x-ray source increases, the quantity or intensity of the x-ray output decreases due to the energy being distributed over a larger area, but the quality or energy per photon, which dictates the x-ray's penetrative power, does not inherently decrease with distance.