Noble metals, also known as noble elements, are a group of metals that are chemically inert or unreactive under normal conditions. These metals include:
These metals are considered noble because they have a very low reactivity towards other elements or compounds, which means they do not easily corrode, tarnish, or rust. They have a high resistance to chemical attack and are often used in applications where their inertness is an advantage, such as in jewellery, electronics, and catalysis.
The inertness of noble metals is due to their stable electronic configuration, which consists of a full valence shell of electrons. This electronic configuration makes it difficult for them to form chemical bonds with other elements, as they have little tendency to gain or lose electrons.