Tungsten (W)
Transition metal
Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal — 3,422 °C — and, as tungsten carbide, forms tools hard enough to machine steel. Its name survives in light-bulb history: the glowing filament was tungsten.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 74 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 183.841 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d4 |
| Noble gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | +6, +4 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.36 |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | 162 pm |
| First ionization energy | 770 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 78.8 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 19.25 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 3421.8 °C (3695 K) |
| Boiling point | 5929.9 °C (6203 K) |
| Appearance | grayish white, lustrous |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | Occurs naturally |
Electron configuration of tungsten
Tungsten's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d4, usually shortened to [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2. Its electrons occupy 6 shells (2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2), placing it in period 6 of the d-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of tungsten
- Tungsten carbide cutting tools and drill bits
- Incandescent and halogen filaments
- Armour-piercing projectiles and counterweights
- X-ray tube targets and welding electrodes
Biological role: Used by a few bacteria in enzymes — the heaviest element with any known biological role.
Occurrence: Mined as wolframite and scheelite, largely in China.
Common compounds of tungsten
WC
Tungsten carbide
WO3
Tungsten trioxide
History and discovery
Discovered: 1783 — Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Name origin: From Swedish tung sten, “heavy stone”; the symbol W is from the German name Wolfram.
The Elhuyar brothers isolated tungsten in Spain in 1783 by reducing tungstic acid with charcoal.
Safety notes
Low toxicity as metal or carbide; fine dusts require industrial hygiene.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Tungsten
1. What is the chemical symbol of Tungsten?
2. What is the atomic number of Tungsten?
3. Which category does Tungsten belong to?
4. What is the state of Tungsten at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Tungsten in?
Tungsten FAQs
What is the atomic number of tungsten?
Tungsten's atomic number is 74 — every tungsten atom has 74 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for tungsten?
W. From Swedish tung sten, “heavy stone”; the symbol W is from the German name Wolfram.
Is tungsten a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Tungsten is classified as a transition metal.
What state is tungsten at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, tungsten is a solid. It melts at 3421.8 °C.
What is tungsten used for?
Key uses include: tungsten carbide cutting tools and drill bits; incandescent and halogen filaments; armour-piercing projectiles and counterweights.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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