What is the primary effect of increasing kilovoltage in radiographic imaging?

Increasing the kilovoltage (kV) in radiographic imaging primarily affects the energy of the x-ray beam, leading to an increase in exposure rate. This is because higher kilovoltage results in a higher energy beam that is more penetrating, allowing it to pass through denser tissues with greater ease. Consequently, more x-ray photons reach the image receptor, which increases the overall exposure and, thereby, the exposure rate.

This increase in exposure rate enhances the quantity of radiation that interacts with the detector, ensuring that images can be captured more effectively and potentially reducing the time needed for exposure. Furthermore, with higher kilovoltage settings, the overall quality of images can also improve, as there would be a greater penetration through different tissue densities, aiding in the visualization of structures.

While increased kilovoltage does indeed produce more scattered radiation and its impact on image characteristics can lead to changes in contrast, the primary and most direct effect is the increase in exposure rate, which is fundamental for capturing clearer images in radiography.