Which factors lead to doubling the receptor exposure when increased by 15%?

Doubling the receptor exposure with a 15% increase is primarily associated with kilovoltage (kVp). When you increase the kVp by approximately 15%, it significantly enhances the quality and energy of the x-ray beam. This increase in beam energy results in more x-ray photons reaching the image receptor, thereby increasing the receptor exposure substantially.

In radiographic practice, a 15% increase in kVp is often used as a rule of thumb to effectively double the receptor exposure while also maintaining image quality. This principle is particularly relevant because an increase in kVp not only increases exposure but also influences the penetration ability of the x-ray photons, which can improve the overall contrast of the image.

In contrast, while milliamperage (mA) and exposure time are also factors in determining receptor exposure, they do so in a more linear fashion rather than with the exponential effect seen with kVp. Distance affects the intensity of the x-ray beam according to the inverse square law, meaning that increasing distance would actually decrease receptor exposure, rather than doubling it. Thus, the most effective and recognized method for doubling receptor exposure in this context is through a 15% increase in kilovoltage.