Silver nitrate
Silver nitrate is a
chemical compound with
chemical formula AgNO3. This
nitrate of
silver is a light-sensitive ingredient in
photographic film. A poisonous, corrosive compound, silver nitrate crystals can be produced by dissolving
silver in
nitric acid and evaporating the solution.
When making
photographic film, fine silver nitrate particles are bonded to strips of tri-
acetate or
polyester.
Photons from sunlight,
X-rays or other sources, initiate a purported chemical chain reaction: when photons strike silver nitrate molecules, they free electrons from the silver
ions. These free electrons roam through the crystal and settle in structural imperfections called sensitivity specks. These specks apparently attract positive silver ions, which are then neutralized to form groups of stable silver atoms, creating a latent image that is chemically developed to reveal a photographic image.
Silver nitrate has been used as an antiseptic, dropped into
new born babies' eyes at birth. This is to prevent contraction of
gonorrhoea or
chlamydia from their mother. A very weak solution is used for this, (about 1%) and there are very few
side effects.
See also
\n*Film developing
External Link
\n*Film Making
Category:Nitrates