Which statement is true about lead strips within the grid?

The correct statement is that lead strips absorb some of the useful beam. Grids are primarily used in radiography to improve image quality by reducing the amount of scattered radiation that reaches the image receptor. Lead strips within these grids are designed to absorb scattered photons, which helps to enhance the contrast of the X-ray image.

However, it's important to note that while they do absorb some scattered radiation, lead strips can also absorb a small amount of the primary radiation, which constitutes the useful beam. This absorption is a necessary trade-off, as the lead strips help minimize scatter, ultimately leading to clearer images. The presence of the lead strips means that adjustments in exposure settings are often needed to compensate for the radiation absorbed by the strips.

The options referencing the orientation of the lead strips—whether they are horizontal or vertical—do not pertain to the primary function of the strips in terms of beam absorption and are less related to the fundamental understanding of how grids function in radiography. The orientation typically depends on the type of grid being used (linear vs. focused) and does not directly pertain to the degree of useful beam absorption.