Tungsten

Rare transition metal with a high melting point.

wolfram

Tungsten (W) is a rare, hard, dense transition metal known for its extremely high melting point (3422 °C). It is used in incandescent light bulb filaments, heavy-duty alloys, and cutting tools.

Pronunciation

/ˈtʌŋstən/

Etymology

Tungsten is derived from the Swedish words 'tung' meaning heavy and 'sten' meaning stone.

Explain Like I’m 5

Tungsten is a strong, shiny metal that can handle super-high temperatures, like the kind found in light bulbs and rocket engines.

Fun Facts

Tungsten is named after the Swedish word 'tung sten' meaning 'heavy stone'
It was first isolated in 1932
Tungsten filaments glow white-hot when electricity passes through them

FAQ

What is tungsten used for? It's used in light bulb filaments and rocket nozzles
Is tungsten rare? Yes, it is considered a relatively scarce metal
What makes tungsten special? It has the highest melting point of all metals

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

metal transition metal

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

wolframite scheelite

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

periodic table

Indexes

chemical substance element industrial material metal

Beryllium

Built by Tim Jones