What does 'image quality' in radiography depend on?

Image quality in radiography is influenced significantly by several critical factors, which include source strength, exposure time, and material density.

Source strength refers to the intensity or activity of the radioactive source used in radiography. A stronger source can provide more penetrating power, resulting in clearer images of the internal structures of the materials being inspected.

Exposure time is crucial as it determines how long the detector is exposed to radiation from the source. Insufficient exposure time can lead to underexposed images, while too much exposure can lead to overexposure, compromising image clarity.

Material density also plays a vital role; denser materials can absorb more radiation, which can affect the contrast and clarity of the image. For example, in a radiograph where different materials are present, the variations in density will result in differing levels of radiation reaching the detector, thus impacting image quality.

Together, these factors contribute to the overall effectiveness of radiographic inspections and the quality of the images produced, allowing for accurate evaluation of the materials and detection of flaws or discontinuities.