Why does Tungsten have the symbol W?

The symbol W comes from "Wolfram," the traditional German name for the element. The mineral wolframite (iron–manganese tungstate) was the original ore source, and the name Wolfram is still widely used in many European languages. IUPAC accepts both "tungsten" and "wolfram" as valid names.

Why does Tungsten have the highest melting point of all metals?

Tungsten's exceptionally high melting point (3422 °C) results from very strong metallic bonding. Its partially filled 5d subshell configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s² provides numerous unpaired d electrons that participate in cohesive metallic bonding, forming an extraordinarily stable crystal lattice.

What are Tungsten's main industrial applications?

Tungsten is primarily used in cemented carbides (WC) for cutting tools, drills, and wear-resistant parts (~60% of global use). Other major uses include superalloy additives for aerospace, incandescent lamp filaments, X-ray tube anodes, radiation shielding, and electrical contacts.

What oxidation states does Tungsten commonly exhibit?

Tungsten's most common oxidation state is +6 (as in WO₃ and tungstate anion WO₄²⁻). It also commonly shows +4 (WO₂, WS₂) and +5. Lower states (+2, +3) and even negative states appear in organometallic or carbonyl complexes.

How many stable isotopes does Tungsten have?

Tungsten has five naturally occurring isotopes: W-180, W-182, W-183, W-184, and W-186. W-184 is the most abundant at 30.64%, followed by W-186 at 28.43% and W-182 at 26.50%. All five are considered effectively stable, though W-180 and W-186 are theoretically radioactive with half-lives far exceeding the age of the universe.

Elemental tungsten powder and certain tungsten compounds can be harmful if inhaled or ingested in large quantities. Inhalation of fine WC dust is associated with "hard metal disease" (cobalt plays a key role). However, solid metallic tungsten items are generally considered non-toxic in everyday use.

Tungsten Element Properties

Look up every key property of Tungsten (W, Z=74) — from atomic mass and electron configuration to melting point and electronegativity.

W 74

Tungsten (Wolfram)

Atomic number 74 · Group 6 · Period 6 · Transition Metal

The metal with the highest melting point and one of the highest densities — cornerstone of cutting tools, lamp filaments, and high-temperature engineering.

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Identity & Classification

Atomic Structure

Physical Properties

Thermodynamic Properties

Chemical Properties

Notable Isotopes

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Summary

Tungsten (symbol W, atomic number 74) is a hard, lustrous silver-gray transition metal in Group 6 of the periodic table. It holds the record for the highest melting point (3422 °C) and highest boiling point of all pure metals, and one of the highest densities (19.25 g/cm³). Widely used in lamp filaments, cutting tools, X-ray targets, and high-performance alloys, tungsten is an indispensable refractory metal. This reference card consolidates its atomic, physical, chemical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties in a single searchable view.

How it works

The page loads a complete, curated dataset of Tungsten properties.
Properties are grouped into thematic sections: identity, atomic structure, physical, thermodynamic, and chemical.
Use the search box to filter any property by name or value.
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Notable isotopes are listed with abundance and half-life data.

Use cases

Quick reference during chemistry homework or exams.
Verify data for lab reports or research papers.
Compare Tungsten with neighboring transition metals (Mo, Re, Os).
Study periodic trends — atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity.
Engineering calculations involving tungsten carbide or high-temperature alloys.
Teaching periodic table concepts and refractory metal chemistry.
Materials science and hardness studies for cutting tools and dies.
Research on X-ray tube anodes, thermionic emitters, and thin-film electronics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-30 · Reviewed by Nham Vu