What does the developing solution do to exposed silver halide crystals?

What does the developing solution do to exposed silver halide crystals?

• A. Converts unexposed crystals into clear
• B. Melts the crystals
• C. Dissolves the crystals
• D. Converts the exposed silver halide crystals into grains of black

Answer: (C)

The developing solution acts as a reducing agent, converting the silver halide crystals that were exposed to light into metallic silver. This metallic silver forms the visible, dark image on the film. The unexposed crystals remain largely unchanged during development and are later cleared by fixer to produce the clear areas. The developing solution does not dissolve or melt the crystals, and it does not convert unexposed crystals to clear—that clearing comes from the fixer.

The developing solution acts as a reducing agent, converting the silver halide crystals that were exposed to light into metallic silver. This metallic silver forms the visible, dark image on the film. The unexposed crystals remain largely unchanged during development and are later cleared by fixer to produce the clear areas. The developing solution does not dissolve or melt the crystals, and it does not convert unexposed crystals to clear—that clearing comes from the fixer.