An increase in kilovoltage in analog imaging is likely to produce what effect?

Increasing the kilovoltage (kV) in analog imaging has a direct impact on the scale of contrast in the resulting images. Higher kilovoltage settings result in a greater penetration power of the X-rays, which leads to more uniform exposure across different structures within the imaged area. This increased penetration means that a wider range of densities can be recorded, effectively extending the scale of contrast.

A longer scale of contrast implies that there are more shades of gray represented in the image, facilitating differentiation between tissues of similar densities. This is particularly useful in diagnostic imaging, as it can help radiologists interpret images with greater nuance.

While other options discuss effects related to contrast and exposure, they do not accurately describe the outcome of increasing kilovoltage. For instance, a shorter scale of contrast would not be expected, as that would indicate less variation in brightness levels, which is contrary to what occurs with higher kV settings. Decreasing receptor exposure or the production of scattered radiation would also not result from increasing kilovoltage. Thus, the increase in kilovoltage is primarily associated with achieving a longer scale of contrast in the resulting images.