Element 74 · Transition metal
Tungsten (W) — Element 74
Swedish tung sten — heavy stone
Tungsten (W) is a transition metal in Period 6, Group 6 of the periodic table with atomic number 74, standard atomic weight 183.84 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 6 valence electrons and common oxidation states +6, +4.
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What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Tungsten?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 74
- Standard atomic mass
- 183.84 u
- Chemical family
- Transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2
- Valence electrons
- 6
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +6, +4
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.36 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 770 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 193 pm
- Melting point
- 3,422 °C
- Boiling point
- 5,555 °C
- Discovery year
- 1783
- Table coordinate
- Period 6, Group 6
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Tungsten’s shells?
A neutral Tungsten atom contains 74 electrons distributed across 6 occupied principal energy shells ([Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s²). The table below compares Tungsten’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in W | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 32 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 12 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
| n = 6 | P | 2 e⁻ | 72 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Tungsten (W)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Tungsten (W)?
Tungsten (W) has atomic number Z = 74 (74 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 183.84 u. It sits in Period 6, Group 6 and is classified as a transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Tungsten?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Tungsten (Z = 74) is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s². Across its 6 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 6), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2, with 6 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Tungsten?
Tungsten commonly forms +6, +4 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.36 and its first ionization energy is 770 kJ/mol.
When was Tungsten discovered and what is it used for?
Tungsten was discovered in 1783 (Swedish tung sten — heavy stone). Filaments, cutting tools, armor
How does Tungsten compare to neighboring elements?
Other transition metal elements: