Which physical change occurs during the fixing process in radiograph development?

During the fixing process in radiograph development, the emulsion is hardened. This is an essential step in the processing of radiographs as it serves to stabilize the image captured on the film. The fixing solution removes any unexposed silver halide crystals from the film and also hardens the gelatin emulsion that holds the developed silver grains, ensuring that the final image is more durable and less susceptible to damage.

Hardened emulsion is vital because it allows the film to withstand further handling and manipulation without the risk of distortion or loss of detail. This hardening process also enhances the longevity of the radiographic images, making them more suitable for archiving and clinical review.

In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the fixing process. For instance, softening the emulsion or increasing light sensitivity would compromise the integrity of the film and lead to a loss of the captured image. The deposition of silver onto the film occurs during the developing stage, not the fixing stage. Understanding the role of each step in radiographic processing is crucial for achieving high-quality images in dental radiography.