What aspect of the X-ray beam is directly controlled by the kVp setting?

The kilovoltage peak (kVp) setting in X-ray imaging directly influences the energy and penetration power of the X-ray beam. Increasing the kVp raises the energy of the photons produced, enhancing their ability to penetrate tissues and structures within the body. This means that higher kVp settings can improve the contrast of the images obtained due to the differential absorption of X-rays as they pass through varying densities of tissues.

Additionally, the energy of the X-ray beam affects the quality of the image; higher energy X-rays are less likely to be absorbed by soft tissues, which can result in better visualization of denser materials, such as bones. Therefore, understanding the role of kVp in controlling energy and penetration power is crucial for optimizing imaging protocols and achieving the desired diagnostic results.