What is the role of the fixer in X-ray film processing?

Question

Question

Answer 1

Correct Answer: To remove unexposed silver halide crystals

Rationale:

The fixer plays a crucial role in the X-ray film processing. Its primary function is to remove unexposed silver halide crystals from the film. This step is essential to ensure that these crystals do not contribute to the final image, which would otherwise appear foggy or unclear.
By eliminating these unexposed crystals, the fixer helps in stabilizing the image and making it permanent, ensuring that the film can be safely exposed to light without further changes to the image.
The fixer also hardens the film emulsion, which makes the film more durable and less susceptible to physical damage during handling and storage.

Explanation of Other Options:

To develop the latent image

Rationale: This is the role of the developer, not the fixer. The developer reduces exposed silver halide crystals to metallic silver, which forms the visible image. The fixer does not participate in this process.

To stop the development process

Rationale: The stop bath or water rinse typically halts the development process by neutralizing the developer's chemical activity. The fixer's role is not to stop development but to remove unexposed silver halide crystals.

To increase image sharpness

Rationale: Image sharpness is primarily influenced by factors such as the quality of the X-ray equipment, exposure settings, and film-screen combination. The fixer does not directly affect the sharpness of the image.

Conclusion:

Among the given options, the fixer's correct role is to remove unexposed silver halide crystals from the X-ray film. This step is critical for ensuring the clarity and permanence of the image. Other functions like developing the latent image, stopping the development process, and increasing image sharpness are performed by different components and steps in the film processing procedure.