The visibility of mottle in the virtual image is primarily determined by which aspect of the system?

The visibility of mottle in a virtual image is primarily determined by the resolution of the imaging system. Mottle refers to the granular quality or noise seen in the images, typically resulting from the statistical fluctuations in the number of photons reaching the detector. When the resolution of the system is high, it allows for finer detail and improved clarity in the image. This high resolution can help delineate structures and reduce the appearance of noise, making any mottle present less prominent and easier to interpret.

While sensitivity and contrast level play important roles in image quality, they do not directly govern the visibility of mottle as strongly as resolution does. Sensitivity relates to the system's ability to detect low levels of radiation, which affects overall image quality but does not specifically address mottle visibility. The contrast level impacts the differentiation between different structures in an image but does not inherently clarify or reduce the mottle present. Hence, focusing on resolution provides a specific answer to the visibility of mottle.