Silver nitrate is an inorganic compound with chemical formula AgNO .This salt is a versatile precursor to many other silver compounds, such as those used in photography. It is far less sensitive to light than the halides.
Silver nitrate is a natural compound that is used as an antiinfective agent. Silver nitrate topical (for use on the skin) is used to cauterize infected tissues around a skin wound. Silver nitrate can also help create a scab to help stop bleeding from a minor skin wound.
The cauterizing action of silver nitrate sticks is considered an effective and rapid means of accelerating the clotting process to achieve hemostasis.
The silver nitrate test is sensitive enough to detect fairly small concentrations of halide ions. ... This prevents unreacted hydroxide ions reacting with the silver ions to give a confusing precipitate. Then silver nitrate solution is added.