What effect does increased damping have on image resolution?

Increased damping has a significant impact on image resolution by decreasing it. Damping refers to the use of materials in the transducer that absorb some sound energy, which helps to reduce the number of oscillations or "ringing" that occur after the initial pulse is emitted. While this reduction can enhance the clarity of the image by minimizing unwanted echoes and improving image contrast, it comes at the cost of spatial resolution.

When damping is increased, the pulse length and spatial pulse profile are shortened, leading to a lower quality of detail in the images produced. Specifically, resolution is defined as the ability to distinguish between two closely spaced objects. By dampening the transducer's response, the ability to resolve closely spaced structures is compromised. Therefore, while the image may appear clearer with reduced noise, the actual spatial resolution—the ability to detect fine details—is lessened. This is why the correct answer is that increased damping decreases resolution.