Tungsten (W), a rare and naturally occurring transition metal, is celebrated for its extreme physical properties. Symbolized as W and sometimes referred to as wolfram, this element is among the densest metals found on Earth. Understanding the weight of a standard volume, such as a cubic foot, requires looking at tungsten’s fundamental measure of compactness, known as density.
Calculating the Specific Weight
The density of pure tungsten is approximately 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) at room temperature, making it nearly twice as dense as lead. To find the weight of a cubic foot, this metric density must be converted into imperial units. One cubic foot is equivalent to 28,316.85 cubic centimeters. By multiplying this volume by the density of 19.3 g/cm³, the total mass is over 546,000 grams. Converting this mass into pounds reveals that a single cubic foot of pure tungsten weighs approximately 1,204 pounds.
Why Tungsten is So Heavy
Tungsten’s extreme density is rooted in its atomic structure, a combination of a high atomic mass and an efficient packing arrangement. Tungsten has a high atomic number of 74, meaning its nucleus contains 74 protons, contributing to a substantial atomic weight. This large nucleus makes each individual tungsten atom significantly heavy.
The atoms are also closely packed together in a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal lattice. In this structure, atoms sit at each corner of a cube with one atom located in the center. This arrangement minimizes the empty space between atoms, allowing a large amount of mass to be contained within a small volume. This combination of heavy atoms and tight packing is why tungsten is roughly 70% denser than lead and approaches the density of gold.
Applications Based on Extreme Mass
The exceptional mass of tungsten per volume dictates its use in specialized engineering applications. High-density tungsten alloys are frequently used as counterweights and ballasts where maximum mass must be achieved in a restricted space. This is common in aerospace components, Formula 1 race cars, and high-performance crankshafts for engine balancing.
Tungsten’s density also provides superior performance in radiation shielding applications, such as those used in medical imaging and nuclear technology. The high concentration of atomic mass effectively absorbs and blocks gamma rays and X-rays, often requiring less physical space than traditional lead shielding. Furthermore, its bulk mass and hardness make it the material of choice for kinetic energy penetrators, which rely on sheer density and momentum to function effectively in military applications.