Atomic number 74
Tungsten
Transition metal
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 183.84
- Group
- 6
- Period
- 6
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 2.36
- Common ox. states
- +4, +6
Properties
Electron configuration
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s²
- Ionization energy
- 770.0 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 78.6 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 3695.00 K (3421.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 6203.00 K (5929.9 °C)
How dangerous is it?
0/5 · Safe to handle
Famous for the highest melting point of any metal and used in light-bulb filaments. The solid metal is dense, tough, and safe to handle.
How it bonds
Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal (3422 °C) - that's why incandescent bulb filaments are tungsten. Most stable in the +6 state (WO₃, sodium tungstate). Tungsten carbide (WC) is used in cutting tools because it is almost as hard as diamond.
