Talk:Noble metal

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[edit] Request for merge

Re the request for a merge with Precious metal requested by User:Abdull:

• Disagree - "Precious metal" is a term clearly understood in the field of commerce, where the term Noble metal is not known. Conversely, Noble metal has a precise scientific use not covered by "precious metal". However, both articles certainly need a rethink and clarification. --mervyn 09:46, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

• Disagree - Noble metal is a chemical term with a particular meaning. As explained in the article Platinum essentially isn't a noble metal, but it is in fact a precious metal. This would be an excellent place to talk about concepts of chemical non-reactivity of noble metals, vs the value of precious metals (which would fit in the other article). Rich0 02:52, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

• Disagree - Noble metal and precious metal have very different connotations, and merging them would diminish the distictions these terms are meant to convey.

[edit] Confusion

The entries for this article seem to contradict one another. Copper oxidizes quite readily (short timescale), whereas gold does not. But if copper is considered a noble metal, according to the basic definition given, how can it be considered to not oxidize/corrode? Another confusion is palladium: does it corrode (carbon monoxide) or does it stay basically resistant to surface changes? It's either one or the other. Maybe someone could clarify or merge some of these ideas? There seems to be some disagreement.

I understood Palladium to be considered the 'least noble' of the noble metals as it undergoes oxidation more readily than the others. I do not have my books here, but I will try to research this more and put up citations.