Silver nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula AgNO3. It appears as a white crystalline solid and is highly soluble in water. Silver nitrate is commonly used in various applications, including photography, where it plays a crucial role in developing images, and in medicine, particularly for treating wounds and preventing infections. In addition to its medical and photographic uses, silver nitrate is also employed in laboratories for chemical reactions and as a reagent. It can react with halides to form silver halides, which are important in the field of analytical chemistry. However, it must be handled with care, as it can stain skin and other materials.