Which type of radiation is primarily responsible for increasing noise in x-ray images?

Scatter radiation is the primary type responsible for increasing noise in x-ray images due to its nature of changing direction after interacting with matter, such as the patient's body. When x-rays pass through a subject, a portion of the primary beam is absorbed, while some scatter in various directions. This scattering leads to low-energy x-rays that contribute to the overall exposure on the image receptor, creating a "grainy" or noisy appearance, which reduces the diagnostic quality of the x-ray image.

In radiographic imaging, the goal is to capture the primary beam's information, which contains the diagnostic details necessary for interpretation. However, scatter radiation does not provide additional useful information; rather, it adds unwanted exposure to the image, complicating the analysis. Understanding the effect of scatter is crucial for radiographers, as it emphasizes the importance of techniques to minimize this type of radiation, such as collimation or using grids to enhance image clarity and contrast.