Question

Of the following groups of exposure factors, which will produce the shortest scale of radiographic contrast?

1. 500 mA, 0.040 second, 70 kV
2. 100 mA, 0.100 second, 80 kV
3. 200 mA, 0.025 second, 92 kV
4.700 mA, 0.014 second, 80 kV
Answer:
500 mA, 0.040 second, 70 kV

Answer 1

Among the given sets of factors, the one with a 70 kV setting will produce the shortest scale of radiographic contrast, as lower kV results in a higher contrast image with fewer grays and more black and white differentiation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is focused on understanding the production of radiographic contrast within an X-ray system and identifying which of the given exposure factors will produce the shortest scale of contrast. The scale of radiographic contrast is related to the range of densities in the image and is influenced by several factors including milliamperage (mA), exposure time (seconds), and kilovoltage peak (kV). A higher kV often results in a longer scale of contrast, meaning more grays and fewer blacks and whites, which provides lower contrast. Conversely, a lower kV setting results in a shorter scale of contrast with fewer grays and more black-and-white differentiation, which equates to a higher contrast. Among the options provided, the set of factors with the lowest kV, namely 70 kV (Option 1: "500 mA, 0.040 second, 70 kV"), will produce the shortest scale of radiographic contrast.