Silver chloride
Silver chloride is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is AgCl. It contains silver in its +1 oxidation state. It also contains chloride ions.
Properties
It is a white crystalline solid. It does not dissolve in water. When it is exposed to light, it turns back into silver and chlorine. It dissolves in several solutions, such as ammonia.
Preparation
It can be made by reacting a common chloride such as sodium chloride with silver nitrate.
Uses
It is used in photographic film. It darkens when exposed to light, which makes a picture. It is also used in electrochemistry. It is used as a disinfectant in bandages. It is also used to make stained glass. It can be used when someone is poisoned with mercury.
Safety
It can irritate skin. It can also stain the skin. It is a weak oxidizing agent.
Silver Chloride Media
Crystalline AgCl obtained from ammonia solution. Small greyish crystalls aside are due to partly reduced silver. The biggest crystall is circa 1 mm across.
Pyramidal crystals of AgCl
Silver chloride decomposes over time with exposure to UV light
