What is the radiosensitive component in film when suspended in emulsion?

The radiosensitive component in film when suspended in emulsion is silver halide salts. These salts, which include silver bromide and silver chloride, are crucial in the film's ability to capture radiation. When exposed to ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, these silver halide crystals undergo a chemical change that results in the formation of a latent image. This is the foundation of how traditional film-based radiography works; the latent image will later be developed into a visible image through a series of chemical processes.

The presence of silver halide salts in the film emulsion is what allows it to respond to radiation exposure effectively, making it essential in dental radiography and other imaging applications. Knowing that these salts are fundamental to the function of the film highlights their importance in maintaining the integrity of imaging in a clinical setting.