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When dilute nitric acid is added to bromide ions (Br-), a cream precipitate of silver bromide (AgBr) is formed if silver ions (Ag+) are present in the solution. This reaction occurs because the nitric acid provides the necessary protons (H+) to react with the bromide ions, and if silver ions are also present, they will combine to form the insoluble compound AgBr.

It's important to note that bromide, when subjected to the conditions provided by dilute nitric acid, will not produce a white precipitate like silver chloride (AgCl) seen with chloride ions, nor a yellow precipitate associated with silver iodide (AgI) when interacting with iodide ions. The formation of a cream precipitate specifically indicates the presence of bromide ions reacting with silver to form AgBr, which has distinct characteristics that set it apart from other halides.