Question

Why silver nitrate is called lunar caustic?

Answer 1

Silver nitrate:

• Silver nitrate is a chemical compound having the formula, ${\mathrm{AgNO}}_3$ .
• This salt serves as a versatile precursor to a variety of different silver compounds, including those utilised in photography.

Silver nitrate as lunar caustic:

• When silver nitrate comes into touch with organic substances (e.g., skin, clothes), it is converted into metallic silver, which is white like the lunar iron.
• Silver nitrate is applied to the skin and mucous membranes in the form of a stick or as a lunar caustic (or caustic pencil).