Tungsten
Definition and meaning of Tungsten in chemistry.
![Tungsten element card: symbol W, atomic number 74, atomic mass 183.84, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s², oxidation states +6 +4, Transition metal, group 6, period 6, solid at room temperature.](/assets/images/terms/tungsten-chemical-element.webp)
Tungsten is a dense, steel-gray transition metal with the atomic number 74. Its chemical symbol is W, which comes from its original Germanic name wolfram. It is famous globally for possessing the highest melting point of all known unalloyed metals.
In more detail
Tungsten exhibits extraordinary tensile strength and incredible physical durability. Tensile strength refers to how much a material can stretch without breaking apart. The metal becomes even stronger when alloyed with other elements or combined with carbon.
Combining it with carbon creates the exceptionally hard ceramic compound called tungsten carbide. Miners primarily extract tungsten from the widespread natural minerals wolframite and scheelite. Workers use a multi-step chemical reduction process to yield a pure metallic powder.
At standard room temperature, bulk tungsten is remarkably resistant to aggressive chemical attack. It does not react readily with pure water, oxygen, or most standard laboratory acids. Tungsten sits prominently in group 6 of the standard periodic table of elements.
The element displays a highly diverse range of oxidation states from -2 to +6. The +6 oxidation state is by far the most common and chemically stable form. You can clearly see this stable state in the compound tungsten trioxide (WO3).
The physical density of tungsten is incredibly high, closely matching the density of gold. Its massive weight and unyielding high-temperature stability make it indispensable in demanding aerospace components. Heavy industrial drilling applications also rely heavily on its extreme physical toughness.
The metal rarely deforms under immense physical pressure or extremely hot operating conditions. These unique physical traits make it a vital element in many modern industrial technologies.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | W |
| Atomic number | 74 |
| Atomic mass | 183.84 u |
| Category | Transition-Metal |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Melting point | 3422 °C |
Tungsten is famously used as the glowing filament material in traditional incandescent light bulbs. The pure metal easily reaches white-hot glowing temperatures without melting or structurally failing. This incredible heat resistance allows the extremely thin filament to shine brightly for hours.
Frequently asked questions
Why does tungsten have the chemical symbol W when its name starts with T?
The chemical symbol W comes from the word wolfram. This is an older Germanic name derived directly from its primary ore mineral wolframite.
What specific properties make tungsten carbide so useful for heavy industry?
Tungsten carbide is incredibly hard and remarkably resistant to extreme heat. It nearly matches the hardness of diamond, making it ideal for heavy-duty cutting tools and drill bits.
Related terms
Sources & references
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