Final answer:
The radiograph taken with a 50" SID will exhibit more magnification than the one with a 72" SID because a shorter SID increases the magnification of the image. So the answer option indicating less contrast (d)
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing two radiographs of the chest, one taken with a source-to-image distance (SID) of 72 inches and the other with an SID of 50 inches, the radiograph with the 50" SID would exhibit more magnification. Magnification in radiography is affected by the SID: the shorter the SID, the greater the magnification of the image.
Therefore, when the technologist compares the two radiographs, the one taken with a 50" SID will appear larger compared to the radiograph taken with a 72" SID, simply due to the principles of geometry and the way X-rays project.
In the field of radiology, understanding and manipulating magnification is important for accurately interpreting radiographs. While considering contrast is also important, in this specific case when considering SID, contrast is not impacted directly by the change in SID, so the answer option indicating less contrast (d) would not be applicable. Option (a) implies less magnification with a shorter SID, which is incorrect, and option (c) would suggest no change in magnification, which is also not the case when the SID is altered. So the answer option indicating less contrast (d)