If a radiographer produced an image using an x-ray exposure that is below dynamic range, what is the resulting image expected to display?

When an x-ray exposure falls below the dynamic range of the imaging system, the resulting image is likely to exhibit quantum mottle. This phenomenon occurs because there are insufficient photons reaching the detector to produce a clear image, leading to random variations in the pixel values due to the statistical nature of x-ray photon interactions. Quantum mottle is characterized by a grainy appearance where the image lacks the necessary uniform density and contrast, making it difficult to interpret.

In contrast, images that reflect overexposure are typically the result of too many x-ray photons hitting the detector, which is not the case here. Motion blur arises when there is movement during the exposure, leading to indistinct images, while underexposure would imply a lack of sufficient exposure but does not specifically point to the inherent randomness and noise associated with quantum mottle. Thus, quantum mottle represents the specific outcome of insufficient exposure within the system's dynamic range limits.