What effect does increased distance from the x-ray source have on image quality?

Increased distance from the x-ray source affects image quality primarily by decreasing image sharpness. This phenomenon can be explained by the principles of radiographic geometry, particularly the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation decreases as the distance from the source increases. As this distance enlarges, the x-ray beam diverges more, leading to a larger area of exposure on the detector or film. Consequently, structures that are meant to be sharp can appear more blurred due to this increased divergence.

Additionally, the increased distance can result in a reduction in the overall amount of radiation reaching the detector, which may impact the overall density and contrast of the image. While some attributes of image quality may change slightly with distance, the principal effect is that sharpness diminishes as the x-ray source is moved further away, leading to less defined boundaries between adjacent structures. This is particularly crucial in radiographic imaging, where high clarity is essential for accurate diagnosis and evaluation.