Silver and gold do not react with oxygen even at high temperatures because they are relatively unreactive metals and do not readily form oxides under normal conditions.

When copper is heated, it does not burn, but the hot metal is coated with a black-colored layer of copper(II) oxide due to the reaction with oxygen. Copper does not burn because it forms a stable oxide layer that prevents ...

Iron filings burn vigorously when sprinkled in the flame of a burner because they react with oxygen in the air, forming iron oxide (rust), which undergoes an exothermic reaction, releasing heat and light.

The thin layer of oxide on the surfaces of these metals acts as a protective layer, preventing further oxidation of the metal by shielding it from direct contact with oxygen in the air.

According to the activity, lead and mercury are comparatively poor conductors of heat.