Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Tungsten

Atomic number 74 means that every Tungsten nucleus contains 74 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Tungsten.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 74 means that every Tungsten nucleus contains 74 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Tungsten.

Tungsten (W) is chemical element 74. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in cutting tools, electronics and alloys.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 74 means that every Tungsten nucleus contains 74 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Tungsten.

Keep exploring

→ Tungsten · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

74WTungsten
Tungsten · W · Z = 74

Tungsten (W) is chemical element 74. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Tungsten (W) is chemical element 74. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in cutting tools, electronics and alloys.

What its position in the table tells us

Tungsten sits in period 6, group 6 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.