Element 74
Tungsten
Transition metals
Tungsten (W) is in the d-block of the periodic table — group 6, period 6.
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element with symbol W and atomic number 74.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 74
- Atomic mass
- 183.841 u
- Group / Period
- 6 / 6
- Block
- d-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 19.25 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 3421.8 °C
- Boiling point
- 5929.9 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2
Periodic table block
Tungsten is in the d-block (group 6, period 6). Elements land in the d-block when their highest-energy electrons fill a d subshell — these are the transition metals in the middle of the table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Light-bulb filaments (historic)
- •Drill bits
- •X-ray tubes
Discovery
Year: 1783
Discovered by: Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Tungsten?
Tungsten has atomic number 74. Its symbol is W and its atomic mass is 183.841 u.
What category of element is Tungsten?
Tungsten is classified as transition metals. It sits in group 6, period 6 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Tungsten in?
Tungsten is in the d-block (group 6, period 6). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the d subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2.
What is Tungsten used for?
Common uses of Tungsten include: Light-bulb filaments (historic), Drill bits, X-ray tubes.
When was Tungsten discovered?
Tungsten was discovered in 1783 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele.
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