How does decreasing filtration thickness affect the quantity of the x-ray beam?

How does decreasing filtration thickness affect the quantity of the x-ray beam?

• A. increased quantity
• B. decreased quantity
• C. no change in quantity
• D. increased patient dose

Answer: (A)

Reducing filtration thickness lowers the amount of material the X-ray photons must travel through, so fewer photons are absorbed. That means more photons make it through to the patient and the image receptor, increasing the beam’s quantity (photon flux). At the same time, the beam becomes softer because more low-energy photons survive with less filtration, which is why changing filtration not only changes intensity but also the energy spectrum.

Reducing filtration thickness lowers the amount of material the X-ray photons must travel through, so fewer photons are absorbed. That means more photons make it through to the patient and the image receptor, increasing the beam’s quantity (photon flux). At the same time, the beam becomes softer because more low-energy photons survive with less filtration, which is why changing filtration not only changes intensity but also the energy spectrum.