What term refers to the reduction of radiation intensity as it passes through a substance?

The term that refers to the reduction of radiation intensity as it passes through a substance is attenuation. Attenuation encompasses both the processes of absorption and scattering, which contribute to the overall decrease in intensity. When radiation enters a material, some of it is absorbed by the material, while some is scattered in different directions, both of which reduce the amount of radiation that exits the material.

Attenuation is a critical concept in imaging techniques such as computed tomography, as it directly affects the quality of images obtained. Understanding how attenuation works allows radiologic technologists and medical physicists to optimize imaging protocols and calibrate equipment appropriately, ensuring that images maintain diagnostic quality while minimizing patient exposure to radiation.