noble metal
American Heritage Dictionary:
Top
noble metal
n.
A metal or alloy, such as gold, that is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion.
Oxford Dictionary of Chemistry:
Top
noble metal
A metal characterized by it lack of chemical reactivity, particularly to acids and atmospheric corrosion. Examples include gold, palladium, platinum, and rhodium.
Science Q&A:
Top
What are the noble metals?
The noble metals are gold, silver, mercury, and the platinum group (including palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, and osmium). The term refers to those metals highly resistant to chemical reaction or corrosion and is contrasted with "base" metals, which are not so resistant. The term has its origins in ancient alchemy whose goals of transformation and perfection were pursued through the different properties of metals and chemicals. The term is not synonymous with "precious metals," although a metal, like platinium, may be both.
| Previous question: | Why are alchemical symbols for metals and astrological symbols for planets identical? |
| Next question: | What are the precious metals? |
Mosby's Dental Dictionary:
Top
noble metal
n
A precious metal, usually one that does not readily oxidize, such as gold or platinum.
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Read more
Oxford Dictionary of Chemistry
A Dictionary of Chemistry. Sixth Edition. Copyright © Market House Books Ltd, 2008. All rights reserved.
Read more
Science Q&A
The Handy Science Answer Book. 2003 ©Visible Ink Press (handyanswers.com). All rights reserved.
Read more
Mentioned in
immersion plating
(metallurgy)
Butamer process
(chemical engineering)
hydrogen electrode
(physical chemistry)
» More