According to the inverse square law, what happens to receptor exposure when the source-to-image distance (SID) decreases?

The inverse square law states that the intensity of radiation exposure at a given distance from a point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. This means that as you decrease the distance between the radiation source and the imaging receptor (or detector), the exposure to the receptor increases significantly.

When the source-to-image distance decreases, the radiation intensity hitting the receptor amplifies because the radiation spreads out over a larger area as distance increases. Therefore, reducing the distance leads to a higher concentration of radiation reaching the receptor, resulting in increased receptor exposure.

Understanding this principle is crucial for optimizing image quality in radiographic imaging, as it helps in determining the appropriate distances to achieve the desired exposure levels without unnecessary increases in patient dose.