How many tanks are used in automatic processing, and what are they?

The correct answer indicates that there are four tanks used in automatic processing: Developer, First Water, Fixing, and Second Water.

In an automatic processing system for radiographic films, the Developer tank is essential for converting the exposed silver halide crystals into metallic silver, which forms the visible image. Following development, the film moves to the Fixing tank, where the remaining unexposed silver halide crystals are removed, ensuring that the image is stable and does not continue to develop when exposed to light.

The First Water tank serves as a rinse between the Developer and Fixing stages, helping to prevent contamination of the fixer with developer chemicals. Finally, the Second Water tank is used to further rinse the film after fixation, which helps remove any residual chemicals, ensuring the film is clean and ready for drying.

This sequence is crucial for achieving high-quality images while ensuring the longevity of the films and minimizing the risk of chemical cross-contamination.