Milliampere-seconds (mAs) combines milliamperes with which additional factor?

Milliampere-seconds (mAs) is a critical measurement in radiography that helps determine the amount of radiation exposure the patient receives. The mAs value is calculated by multiplying the current in milliamperes (mA) by the length of exposure time in seconds (s). This product represents the total quantity of x-ray photons produced during the exposure.

By combining milliamperes with exposure time, mAs serves as a direct indicator of the number of x-rays generated and subsequently contributes to the overall density of the radiographic image. A higher mAs value typically results in a darker image due to increased exposure, while a lower mAs value yields a lighter image. Therefore, understanding the relationship between mA, exposure time, and the resulting mAs is essential for properly managing radiation dose and optimizing image quality.