Is there any metal on earth that doesn't oxidize (rust or tarnish)?

Baloo55th

Gold, for a start. http://matsci.uah.edu/courseware/mts501/reports/sschwitalla.html And http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1992/illpres/oxidation.html says 'Most metals are oxidized by the oxygen in air', so there must be a few that aren't. And judging by the catalytic reactions involved in mercury oxidation, I would say that mercury is another that doesn't do it by itself. Sep 01 06, 1:59 PM

Baloo55th

Mercury can be found as an oxide, but more usually in the form of HgS - cinnabar. The liquid purified metal doesn't seem to corrode, or it would get scummy looking and solidify. The mercury I've got doesn't show any sign of this. Sep 01 06, 2:04 PM

zbeckabee

Noble metals are metals that are resistant to corrosion or oxidation, unlike most base metals. They tend to be precious metals, often due to perceived rarity. Examples include gold, silver, tantalum, platinum, and rhodium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_metals Sep 01 06, 3:04 PM

davejacobs

Silver does oxidise, it's called tarnish. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarnish Sep 02 06, 1:17 AM