Tungsten, known by its chemical symbol W, is frequently mentioned in discussions about dense metals, often alongside gold and platinum. The metal’s high density allows a significant amount of mass to be contained in a small volume. This physical property sets tungsten apart, transforming a small object into a surprisingly heavy one.
The Specific Weight of a 1-Inch Tungsten Cube
A cube of pure tungsten, measuring exactly one inch on all sides, holds a significant amount of weight. This measurement is derived from tungsten’s density, which is approximately 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter (\(\text{g/cm}^3\)). Since one cubic inch equals 16.39 cubic centimeters, the calculation yields a mass of approximately 316 grams. Converting this to imperial units, the 1-inch tungsten cube weighs about 0.697 pounds.
Understanding Tungsten’s Extreme Density
The scientific reason for tungsten’s remarkable heaviness lies within its atomic structure. Density is the measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume, and for tungsten, this high ratio is due to two primary factors.
The first factor is the high atomic mass of the individual tungsten atom, which has an atomic number of 74. The second factor is how these heavy atoms are arranged in the solid metal. Tungsten forms a body-centered cubic (bcc) crystal lattice structure, which is a highly efficient and tightly packed arrangement.
This structural packing minimizes the empty space between atoms, forcing a massive number of heavy tungsten atoms into a small physical area. The strong metallic bonds between these closely situated atoms also contribute to the metal’s mechanical strength and resistance to temperature changes.
Comparing Tungsten’s Weight to Common Materials
Comparing the tungsten cube’s weight to everyday materials reveals its extreme density. A 1-inch cube of common aluminum weighs only 0.1 pounds, making the tungsten cube nearly seven times heavier. A similar cube of steel, often perceived as heavy, weighs about 0.28 pounds, less than half the weight of its tungsten counterpart.
Even the heavy metal lead, with a density of \(11.34 \text{ g/cm}^3\), only weighs about 0.4 pounds in a 1-inch cube. Tungsten is approximately 1.7 times denser than lead, a substantial difference for the same volume. Tungsten’s density is almost identical to that of gold, which has a density of \(19.32 \text{ g/cm}^3\). This near-perfect match is why tungsten has occasionally been used as a counterfeit core for gold bars.
Practical Uses Driven by High Density
Tungsten’s extreme density makes it valuable in industrial and specialized applications where maximum mass in a minimal space is required. It is commonly used for counterweights and balance weights in high-performance machinery. Its mass is utilized in the aerospace industry for aircraft ballast and in racing for precisely balancing crankshafts and flywheels.
The high atomic number and density also make tungsten an excellent material for radiation shielding in medical and nuclear environments. It blocks X-rays and gamma rays more effectively than less dense materials, allowing for smaller, safer shielding components. The material is also used in military applications as kinetic energy penetrators, where its substantial mass and high velocity deliver maximum impact energy to a small point.