How do silver bromide ions change during exposure to X-rays?

• A. They lose bromide ion and turn black
• B. They gain bromide ion and turn white
• C. They dissolve the crystals
• D. They form silver oxide

Answer: (D)

Exposure to X-rays provides energy that liberates electrons which reduce silver ions in the silver bromide crystals. Specifically, Ag+ ions gain electrons to form metallic silver (Ag0), while the bromide becomes Br− and is released. These tiny metallic silver grains within the crystal create the latent image, which is later amplified by development to produce a visible image. Silver oxide formation isn’t part of this process; the image relies on reduction to metallic silver, not oxide formation.