Tungsten has the chemical symbol W and the atomic number 74.
Tungsten’s symbol comes from its older name, wolfram, rather than from the English word “tungsten.” The element was identified as distinct in 1783 by Spanish chemists Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar, who reduced tungsten compounds derived from the mineral wolframite. Its name reflects the Swedish words tung sten, meaning “heavy stone.”
Tungsten is a dense, gray metal with the highest melting point of any pure metal, about 3,422°C. That exceptional heat resistance made it important for incandescent-lamp filaments, although many household bulbs have been replaced by more efficient technologies. Tungsten is also used in hard materials, electrical contacts, aerospace components, and high-density counterweights.
Its atomic number, 74, means a neutral tungsten atom contains 74 protons. The letter W can confuse learners because it does not resemble the English name. Tungsten’s durability and high density also make tungsten carbide useful for cutting tools and industrial wear surfaces.