Fact box

Melting point3414 oC, 6177.2 oF, 3687.15 K 

Boiling point5555 oC, 10031 oF, 5828.15 K             Density (kg m-3)19254 

Atomic number74 Relative atomic mass183.84  

State at room  temperature.      Solid

Symbol is "W"

Color is gray to white

There are 110 neutrons in tungsten.

There are 74 protons an electrons in tungsten.

The atomic mass of tungsten is 183.84 atm.

The crystal structure is cubic.

Discovery date:   1783

Discovered by:   J. J & F. Elhuyar

Discovery place:

Torbern Bergman

Group6 

Period6 

Blockd 

Density 19254 

Atomic number74

Image explanation

Symbol used reflects the once common use of the element in light bulbs

Appearance

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals, and because of this it is used for the filaments of light bulbs. It is alloyed with other metals to strengthen them - for example, for military armour and cutting tools.

Uses

Tungsten and its alloys are used extensively for filaments for electric lamps, electron tubes and television tubes. As it has the highest melting point of all metals it is used in numerous high-temperature applications. High-speed tool steels contain tungsten, as does a new “painless” dental drill which spins at ultra-high speeds. Tungsten carbide is immensely hard and is of great importance to the metal-working, mining and petroleum industries. Calcium and magnesium tungstates are widely used in fluorescent lighting.

Biological role

Tungsten has no known biological role, and has low toxicity.

Natural abundance

The principal tungsten-containing ores are scheelite and wolframite. Commercially, the metal is obtained by reducing tungsten oxide with hydrogen or carbon.