W
183.840Tungsten
Tungsten
Tungsten is a group 6 transition metal with atomic number 74 and symbol W. It has the highest melting point of all elements and is central to tungsten carbide cutting tools, X-ray tube anodes, high-speed steels and radiation shielding.
74
183.84 g/mol
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 12 | 2
2.36
19.25 g/cm³
3421.8 °C
5554.9 °C
Fausto & Juan José Elhuyar
Tungsten was isolated in 1783 by the Elhuyar brothers after earlier work by Carl Wilhelm Scheele on tungstic acid. The English name comes from Swedish words meaning heavy stone, while the symbol W comes from wolfram.
Tungsten-180
Natural abundance: About 0.12%. Rare natural tungsten isotope.Tungsten-182
Natural abundance: About 26.5%. Stable isotope of tungsten.Tungsten-183
Natural abundance: About 14.3%. NMR-active stable isotope.Tungsten-184
Natural abundance: About 30.6%. Most abundant natural tungsten isotope.Tungsten-186
Natural abundance: About 28.4%. Stable isotope, although extremely rare double-beta decay is theoretically possible.WC
Tungsten CarbideHard cutting-tool and wear-resistant material.WO₃
Tungsten(VI) OxideElectrochromic material, pigment precursor and tungsten chemistry feedstock.Na₂WO₄
Sodium TungstateTungsten source for catalysts, pigments and research compounds.WS₂
Tungsten DisulfideLayered solid lubricant and semiconductor research material.- Tungsten carbide cutting tools, drills, dies and wear-resistant parts
- High-speed steels and refractory alloys for high-temperature service
- X-ray tube anodes and radiation shielding because of high atomic number and density
- TIG welding electrodes and electrical contacts
- Historical incandescent lamp filaments due to extreme melting point
Tungsten is not essential for humans. Some anaerobic microorganisms use tungsten-containing enzymes, where tungsten can play roles similar to molybdenum in redox chemistry.
- Tungsten has the highest melting point of all elements, about 3422 °C.
- The symbol W preserves the older name wolfram, still used in several languages.
- Tungsten carbide is much harder than steel and is central to modern machining.
- Tungsten is dense enough to be considered in some applications as a non-lead radiation shielding material.
- Tungsten has atomic number 74 and symbol W.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s².
- The common high oxidation state is +6.
- Remember tungsten for the highest melting point and WC for cutting tools.
What is the atomic number of tungsten?
The atomic number of tungsten is 74.
What is the electron configuration of tungsten?
Tungsten has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s².
What is tungsten used for?
Tungsten is used in tungsten carbide tools, high-temperature alloys, X-ray tubes, welding electrodes, radiation shielding and historical lamp filaments.
Why is tungsten symbol W?
The symbol W comes from wolfram, an older name for tungsten linked to the mineral wolframite.
Why is tungsten used in cutting tools?
Tungsten carbide is extremely hard and keeps useful strength at high cutting temperatures.
Which element has the highest melting point?
Tungsten has the highest melting point of all chemical elements.