Quick answerTungsten (W) is a transition metal with atomic number 74 and an atomic mass of 183.84 (2023), in group 6, period 6. It was discovered by Juan José Elhuyar and Fausto Elhuyar in 1783. It is used for light bulb filaments and cutting tools. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2.
Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal, which is why it glows in light bulbs and cuts steel as drill bits.
Key facts
| Symbol | W |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 74 |
| Atomic mass | 183.84 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 6 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2 |
| Discovered | Juan José Elhuyar and Fausto Elhuyar, 1783 |
| Uses | light bulb filaments, cutting tools, welding electrodes, radiation shielding, fishing weights |
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Silver (Ag) — another transition metal, atomic number 47
- Cadmium (Cd) — another transition metal, atomic number 48
- Hafnium (Hf) — another transition metal, atomic number 72
- Tantalum (Ta) — another transition metal, atomic number 73
- Rhenium (Re) — another transition metal, atomic number 75
- Osmium (Os) — another transition metal, atomic number 76
- Iridium (Ir) — another transition metal, atomic number 77
- Platinum (Pt) — another transition metal, atomic number 78
- Gold (Au) — another transition metal, atomic number 79
- Mercury (Hg) — another transition metal, atomic number 80
- All transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.