Tungsten (W)

General Information

• Symbol: W
• Atomic Number: 74
• Atomic Weight: 183.84 u
• Element Category: Transition metal
• Group: 6
• Period: 6
• Block: d-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Steel-gray to tin-white metallic
• Density: 19.25 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 3422 °C (6192 °F)
• Boiling Point: 5930 °C (10706 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s²
• Oxidation States: +6 (most common), +5, +4, +3, +2, +0

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Tungsten is resistant to corrosion and is relatively inert. It forms various oxides, sulfides, and halides under different conditions.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as tungsten trioxide (WO₃), tungsten carbide (WC), and tungsten hexafluoride (WF₆).

Uses and Applications

• Lighting: Used in filaments of incandescent light bulbs due to its high melting point and low vapor pressure.
• Electronics: Employed in electronic and electrical applications, including X-ray tubes and electrodes.
• Alloys: Used to produce hard, high-density alloys for cutting tools, wear-resistant materials, and superalloys.
• Ammunition: Used in armor-piercing projectiles and high-density penetrators.
• Catalysts: Utilized in the chemical industry as a catalyst for various reactions.
• Heat Sinks: Used in thermal management applications due to its high thermal conductivity.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Found primarily in the minerals wolframite ((Fe,Mn)WO₄) and scheelite (CaWO₄).
• Extraction: Extracted from its ores through a series of steps, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and chemical treatment to produce ammonium paratungstate, which is then reduced to tungsten metal.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Tungsten has five stable isotopes: Tungsten-180, Tungsten-182, Tungsten-183, Tungsten-184, and Tungsten-186.
• Radioactive Isotopes: Several radioactive isotopes, including Tungsten-181, used in scientific research.

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Tungsten is generally considered to be of low toxicity, but fine tungsten dust can be flammable and pose a fire hazard.
• Precautions: Handle tungsten powder with care to avoid inhalation and minimize fire risk.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar in 1783.
• Name Origin: The name “tungsten” comes from the Swedish words “tung sten,” meaning heavy stone. Its symbol “W” is derived from “wolfram,” the German name for the element.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Body-centered cubic (bcc)
• Magnetic Properties: Paramagnetic
• Thermal Conductivity: High, about 173 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: About 52.8 nΩ·m at room temperature

Summary

Tungsten is a transition metal known for its high melting point, density, and hardness. It has significant applications in lighting, electronics, alloys, ammunition, catalysts, and heat sinks. Found primarily in the minerals wolframite and scheelite, tungsten is extracted through complex processing. Despite its high melting point and inertness, tungsten requires careful handling in powder form due to its flammability.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Tungsten

1. What is the atomic number of Tungsten?

   • 74

2. What is the symbol for Tungsten?

   • W

3. What is the atomic weight of Tungsten?

   • 183.84 u

4. In which group of the periodic table is Tungsten found?

   • Group 6

5. What period is Tungsten in?

   • Period 6

6. What block does Tungsten belong to?

   • d-block

7. What is the melting point of Tungsten?

   • 3422 °C (6192 °F)

8. What is the boiling point of Tungsten?

   • 5930 °C (10706 °F)

9. What is the density of Tungsten?

   • 19.25 g/cm³

10. What is the electron configuration of Tungsten?

    • [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s²

11. What are the common oxidation states of Tungsten?

    • +6, +5, +4, +3, +2, +0

12. What is the appearance of Tungsten?

    • Steel-gray to tin-white metallic

13. Is Tungsten reactive with air?

    • Tungsten is resistant to corrosion and relatively inert.

14. Name a compound of Tungsten.

    • Tungsten trioxide (WO₃)

15. What is a common use of Tungsten in lighting?

    • Used in filaments of incandescent light bulbs.

16. How is Tungsten used in electronics?

    • Employed in X-ray tubes and electrodes.

17. What role does Tungsten play in alloys?

    • Used to produce hard, high-density alloys for cutting tools.

18. How is Tungsten used in ammunition?

    • Used in armor-piercing projectiles and high-density penetrators.

19. What application does Tungsten have in catalysts?

    • Utilized as a catalyst in the chemical industry.

20. How is Tungsten used in heat sinks?

    • Used in thermal management applications due to its high thermal conductivity.

21. Name a mineral that contains Tungsten.

    • Wolframite ((Fe,Mn)WO₄)

22. How is Tungsten extracted from ores?

    • Through a series of steps including crushing, grinding, flotation, and chemical treatment.

23. What is the most stable isotope of Tungsten?

    • Tungsten-186

24. Name a radioactive isotope of Tungsten used in research.

    • Tungsten-181

25. What safety hazard is associated with fine Tungsten dust?

    • It can be flammable and pose a fire hazard.

26. Who discovered Tungsten?

    • Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar

27. Where does the name Tungsten come from?

    • From the Swedish words “tung sten,” meaning heavy stone.

28. What is the crystal structure of Tungsten?

    • Body-centered cubic (bcc)

29. Is Tungsten paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

    • Paramagnetic

30. What is the thermal conductivity of Tungsten?

    • About 173 W/m·K

31. What is the electrical resistivity of Tungsten at room temperature?

    • About 52.8 nΩ·m

32. What is the primary oxidation state of Tungsten?

    • +6

33. Is Tungsten found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is found in minerals like wolframite.

34. What is the common name of Tungsten carbide?

    • WC

35. What is a major application of Tungsten hexafluoride (WF₆)?

    • Used in the semiconductor industry for chemical vapor deposition.

36. How does Tungsten benefit cutting tools?

    • Provides hardness and wear resistance.

37. What is the boiling point of Tungsten in Kelvin?

    • 6203 K

38. What group does Tungsten belong to in the periodic table?

    • Transition metals

39. What is the natural abundance of Tungsten-186?

    • About 28.4%

40. Can Tungsten be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, due to its high melting point and stability.