Tungsten (W): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Tungsten (W) is element 74 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 6. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 183.84 u.
💡 Has the highest melting point of any metal: 3422 °C.
▶ Watch Tungsten’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableTungsten at a glance
| Symbol | W |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 74 |
| Atomic mass | 183.84 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 6 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d4 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.36 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Tungsten on the periodic table?
Tungsten is in period 6, group 6, in the d-block. The period number matches its 6 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Molybdenum sits directly above it and Seaborgium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Tungsten
Put 74 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f¹⁴ (70), 5d⁴ (74). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s².
How electronegative is Tungsten?
Tungsten has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.36, ranking 13 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Tungsten?
The electron configuration of Tungsten (W) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d4 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2.
How many electrons does Tungsten have in each shell?
Tungsten has 74 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 12, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Tungsten?
The standard atomic weight of Tungsten is 183.84 u, so one mole of Tungsten atoms has a mass of about 183.84 g.
Is Tungsten a metal?
Yes. Tungsten is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Hafnium, Tantalum, Rhenium, Osmium, Iridium, Platinum. See all elements on the periodic table.