Tungsten. Number 74. W. Atomic weight: 183.84.
Electron Configuration
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Density
Color
Physical State at Room Temperature
Common Ion Charges
Reactions
Common Compounds
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[Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d4
3422 °C
5550 °C
19250 kg m^-3
Grey-white, lustrous
Solid
W6+ (most common, there is also 5+, 4+, 3+, 2+, 1+)
At high temps, reacts with oxygen to form trioxide tungsten(VI) oxide, does not react with water, reacts with fluorine at room temp forming tungsten(VI) fluoride, (WF6), reacts with chlorine and bromine, does not react with most acids or most bases
Tungsten dichloride, Tungsten tribromide, Tungsten hexafluoride, Tungsten tetrafluoride, Tungsten dioxide, Tungsten disulphide, Tungsten trisulphide
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Discovery: Tungsten was discovered in 1783 in Spain by Juan José Elhuyar and Fausto Elhuyar. Tungsten was originally known as wolfram (from the mineral wolframite), which is where the symbol "W" came from. In swedish, "tung sten" meant "heavy stone", thus creating its mordern name. The Elhuyars used an acid in wolframite to extract the metal of tungsten. Tungsten can be found naturally as it is found in wolframite, which is found in crustal rocks.
Uses: Tungsten is most widely used for filaments in light bulbs for electric lamps, or in fluorescent lighting, or in electron tubes. Recently it has been used in jewelry as wedding rings, due to its resistance to scratching. It is also used in high-speed steel tools that are used to cut metal. Due to its high melting point it is used in heavy metal alloys.
Hazards: Tungsten is not poisonous or toxic and is relatively safe.
Uses: Tungsten is most widely used for filaments in light bulbs for electric lamps, or in fluorescent lighting, or in electron tubes. Recently it has been used in jewelry as wedding rings, due to its resistance to scratching. It is also used in high-speed steel tools that are used to cut metal. Due to its high melting point it is used in heavy metal alloys.
Hazards: Tungsten is not poisonous or toxic and is relatively safe.