According to Mitchell Theory, who is the first to be trapped?

In the context of Mitchell Theory, which addresses the behavior of particles in the imaging process, it is important to recognize the role of different elements in the formation of latent images on film or digital sensors. The theory posits that the initial trapping occurs with silver because silver halides are the primary light-sensitive crystals used in photographic film and plates.

When light is exposed to these silver halides—typically silver bromide—the halide ions (bromide or chloride) become excited and lead to the formation of free electrons. These free electrons are crucial as they initiate the process of image formation, but it is the silver, as a critical component of these halides, that is the first entity that undergoes a change to form the latent image. The captured electrons then aim to be stabilized by the silver ions which form metallic silver, resulting in an image.

Consequently, silver is acknowledged as the first to be trapped in this process because it directly contributes to the formation of the latent image in photographic materials, highlighting its central importance in both historical and modern imaging techniques.