Atomic Properties of W
- Atomic Number of W
- 74
- Atomic Mass of W
- 183.8400 u
- Electron Configuration
- [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2
- Electronegativity
- 2.36
- Block
- d-block
- Group
- 6
- Period
- 6
Tungsten (W) is element 74 on the periodic table. Atomic mass of W: 183.8400 u. W is in period 6, group 6. Melting point of W: 3695.00 K.Density of W: 19.25 g/cm³.
The metal with the highest melting point—lighting your world for over a century
Not essential for humans. Some bacteria use tungsten in enzymes. Low toxicity due to poor absorption.
Discovered by Fausto and Juan José de Elhuyar in Spain, 1783
Name origin: Swedish: tung sten (heavy stone): symbol from its German name wolfram.
The symbol W comes from "Wolfram," the German name still used in many languages. It means "wolf foam" referring to how tin ore was "devoured like a wolf" when tungsten was present. The English name "Tungsten" is Swedish for "heavy stone."
White or grey metallic transition element,formerly called Wolfram. Forms a protective oxide in air and can be oxidized at high temperature. First isolated by Jose and Fausto de Elhuyer in 1783.
Tungsten has 5 naturally occurring isotopes, plus 1 notable radioactive isotope.
| Isotope | Atomic Mass (u) | Abundance | Half-Life | Decay Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17874W (W-178)Tungsten-178 isotope | 177.9459 | 0% | 21.6 days | EC |
| 18074W (W-180)Tungsten-180 isotope | 179.9467108 | 0.1200% | — | — |
| 18274W (W-182)Tungsten-182 isotope | 181.9482039 | 26.50% | — | — |
| 18374W (W-183)Tungsten-183 isotope | 182.9502227 | 14.31% | — | — |
| 18474W (W-184)Tungsten-184 isotope | 183.9509309 | 30.64% | — | — |
| 18674W (W-186)Tungsten-186 isotope | 185.9543628 | 28.43% | — | — |
Data source: NIH PubChem (aggregated from IUPAC, NIST)
Made into filaments for vacuum tubes and electric lights. Also as contact points in cars. Combined with calcium or magnesium it makes phosphors. Tungsten carbide is extremely hard and is used for making cutting tools and abrasives.
Occurs in the minerals scheelite (CaWO4) and wolframite [(Fe,Mn)WO4].
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