Why does silver resist corrosion by moisture and oxygen?

Silver resists corrosion by moisture and oxygen primarily due to its stable electronic configuration, which features a completely filled d subshell and a single electron in the outermost s orbital. This structure confers a high resistance to electron loss, resulting in high ionization energies and a low chemical reactivity that prevents the metal from readily oxidizing when exposed to air or water.12

As a noble metal, silver is characterized by this inherent inertness, which allows it to maintain its luster over long periods. While it does not react with dry oxygen or moist air, it is important to note that this resistance is not absolute; silver can still be tarnished by sulfur compounds in the environment, which cause it to form silver sulfide.12