Which of the following choices would lead to a pale film due to exhaustion of the developer?

A pale film resulting from the exhaustion of the developer occurs when the developer solution has lost its ability to properly process the radiograph. The developer works by converting the exposed silver halide crystals into metallic silver, and if the concentration of the developer is reduced, it may not contain sufficient active ingredients to achieve this conversion effectively.

When the developer concentration decreases, the chemical interactions necessary for image production are impaired. As a result, the film does not receive adequate development, leading to insufficient contrast and density, which manifests as a pale appearance on the radiograph.

In contrast, prolonged development time or increased temperature typically enhances the development process, potentially yielding a darker film if done within proper parameters. High agitation during development can also promote even development across the film but does not directly cause insufficient contrast resulting in a pale film; instead, it could lead to other development issues if improperly managed.