Tungsten is a transition metal, one of the elements that occupy the middle of the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 74, an atomic mass of 183.85, and a chemical symbol of W.

Properties

Tungsten is a hard, brittle solid whose color ranges from steel-gray to nearly white. It has the highest melting point of any element, 6,170°F (3,410°C), a boiling point of about 10,650°F (5,900°C), and a density of 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter. The metal is a good conductor of heat and electricity.

Tungsten is a relatively inactive metal that does not react with oxygen at temperatures of less than 750°F (400°C), nor does it react with most acids, although it does dissolve in aqua regia (a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and 3-4 parts of hydrochloric acid).

Occurrence and Extraction

Tungsten is a moderately rare element with an abundance in...