Symbol

W

Atomic Number

74

Atomic Mass

183.85

Family

Group 6 (Vib) Transition Metal Pronunciation

TUNG-stun

Overview

Tungsten is a transition metal. The transition metals are a group of elements found in the middle of the periodic table. They occupy the boxes in Rows 4 through 7 between Groups 2 and 13. The periodic table is a chart that shows how chemical elements are related to one another.

These metals have very similar physical and chemical properties. One of tungsten's unusual properties is its very high melting point of 3,410^oC (6,170^oF). This is the highest melting point of any metal. Another of its important properties is its ability to retain its strength at very high temperatures. These properties account for tungsten's primary application, the manufacture of alloys. An alloy is made by melting and mixing two or more metals. The mixture has properties different from those of the individual metals.

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