Silver Iodide
Silver iodide is a chemical compound with the formula AgI, consisting of silver cations (Ag+) and iodide anions (I−). It is a yellow crystalline solid that is insoluble in water but soluble in ammonia, potassium iodide, and thiosulfate.
Silver iodide has been widely used in cloud seeding, a process that involves dispersing particles of the compound into clouds to encourage precipitation. This is because silver iodide has a similar crystal structure to ice, which allows it to serve as a nucleating agent for the formation of ice crystals in clouds, leading to the production of snow or rain.
In addition to its use in cloud seeding, silver iodide has also been used in photography as a photosensitive material, particularly in black and white film photography. When exposed to light, silver iodide undergoes a photochemical reaction that produces metallic silver, which serves as the basis for the image on the film.
Although silver iodide is generally considered safe when used appropriately, it can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. It is important to handle and store silver iodide properly to prevent accidental exposure or contamination.