If a digital detector is 10-bit, how many gray levels can it distinguish?

• A. 65,536
• B. 256
• C. 4,096
• D. 1,024

Answer: (D)

Brightness in digital detectors is quantified by bit depth. Each pixel uses n bits, which gives 2^n distinct gray levels. With 10 bits, you get 2^10, which equals 1,024 possible gray levels. These levels span typically from 0 (black) to 1,023 (white), giving 1,024 discrete steps for brightness.