Which combination would likely lead to the highest amount of scattered radiation reaching the receptor?

Choosing a combination that would lead to the highest amount of scattered radiation reaching the receptor is intricately linked to the principles of radiographic techniques and the interaction of X-rays with matter.

When employing a lower mAs (milliampere-seconds), the quantity of X-ray photons produced is reduced. However, using a higher kVp (kilovolt peak) enhances the penetration capability of the X-ray beam. A higher kVp means that the X-ray photons have greater energy, which can lead to more interactions with the tissues within the body. These interactions are more likely to result in scattering, as high-energy photons can more easily penetrate and deflect off various tissues. Consequently, although fewer photons are produced overall with lower mAs, the higher energy of those photons can produce a significant amount of scatter from the tissues they penetrate.

Additionally, this interaction dynamics means that there's a greater volume of tissue contributing to the scatter as the energy increases. When partnering lower mAs with a higher kVp, the overall scatter reaching the receptor increases due to the combined effects of increased tissue interaction and the inherent scattering properties of the human body. Thus, this combination is more likely to yield a higher amount of scattered radiation reaching the receptor than the other combinations proposed.