A metal noble is an unalterable metal, with great chemical inertness. He resides at theoxidation and at the corrosion and cannot be dissolved by a single acid. Only a mixture of acids like aqua regia (hydrochloric acid + nitric acid) can dissolve them, with the exception ofmoney and of theiridium. Although these metals are rare and therefore expensive, the term noble metal is not synonymous with precious metal.
List of noble metals
There is no strict consensus, but eight metals are generally considered noble.
- Gold (Au)
- Silver (Ag)
- Iridium (Ir)
- Platinum (Pt)
- Palladium (Pd)
- Rhodium (Rh)
- Ruthenium (Ru)
- Osmium (Bone)
From a strictly physical point of view, noble metals are those whose peripheral layer ofelectrons is complete. This is the case for gold, silver, and copper. From the property point of view (resistance acid, corrosion or oxidation), other metals are sometimes included in the list: mercury, rhenium, titaniumtantalum or niobium. They are sometimes referred to as semi-noble metals.
Applications of noble metals
The stability and electrochemical properties of noble metals are highly sought after in many fields.
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