What happens during the fixing process of x-ray film?

During the fixing process of x-ray film, residual silver halide crystals are removed from the film emulsion. This is a crucial step in the development of x-ray film because, after exposure, these unexposed silver halide crystals could lead to fogging or unwanted blackening when the film is viewed or printed. The fixer solution, which usually contains hypo (sodium thiosulfate or ammonium thiosulfate), dissolves the remaining unexposed crystals, thereby ensuring that only the areas where radiation exposure occurred will retain the developed image.

This allows for the clear visualization of the x-ray image, as it eliminates any background that might obscure the diagnostic details. The fixing process also stabilizes the image and helps preserve it for a longer period, making it essential for a functioning imaging workflow.

The other options represent different stages that do not accurately describe the fixing phase. Bathing the film in developer solution pertains to the initial step of film processing, where the image begins to form during exposure. Drying the film is a later step, meant to prepare it for storage or viewing, rather than a part of the fixing process itself. Enhancing image sharpness is not an effect of the fixation but rather a quality that needs