Tungsten, element 74 on the periodic table, is universally known in English by that name, yet its chemical symbol is the unexpected letter ‘W’. This symbol does not derive from the name Tungsten, leading to confusion about its origin. The reason for this unique symbol is rooted in the element’s dual naming history and the international process of establishing chemical nomenclature.
The Dual Identity: Tungsten and Wolfram
The element is known by two distinct names globally, each connected to a different mineral discovery. The name Tungsten originates from the Swedish phrase “tung sten,” which translates to “heavy stone.” This name was originally applied to the mineral scheelite, which Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele discovered in 1781 contained an unknown acid, hinting at the presence of a new metal.
The alternative name, Wolfram, is of German origin and has a colorful etymology. It is derived from the mineral wolframite, known to medieval German tin miners. The term is thought to come from “Wolf Rahm,” meaning “wolf soot,” because the mineral interfered with the smelting of tin ore. Miners observed that wolframite consumed the tin during the process, metaphorically “eating” the metal.
Decoding the Symbol W
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) adopted ‘W’ from the name Wolfram. This choice was influenced by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius, who established the modern system of using one or two letters from the element’s Latin or common name as its symbol.
The element’s isolation from wolframite by the Spanish brothers Juan José and Fausto Elhuyar in 1783 provided the crucial link to the name Wolfram. They were the first to successfully reduce the acidic oxide found in the mineral to the pure metallic form. While English-speaking countries favored the Swedish-derived name, the international scientific community ultimately retained the symbol ‘W’ to honor the designation tied to the mineral from which the element was first isolated.
The symbol ‘W’ represents a historical compromise, recognizing the German-derived name even as “Tungsten” became the common name in many parts of the world. This is similar to other elements, such as gold (Au for aurum) or iron (Fe for ferrum), where the symbol is based on an older or Latin name.
Key Characteristics and Modern Applications
Tungsten’s remarkable properties make it significant in modern technology. It has the highest melting point of all known elements, reaching approximately 3,422 degrees Celsius. This extreme resistance to heat makes it a refractory metal, able to withstand temperatures that would vaporize most other metals.
The metal also boasts an exceptionally high density, nearly identical to that of gold, and possesses the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of all metals. This combination of properties makes it highly valued for applications requiring durability and stability under intense conditions.
The most significant modern use is in the form of tungsten carbide, an immensely hard compound used to manufacture cutting tools, drill bits, and industrial dies. Historically, tungsten was used as the filament in incandescent light bulbs. Today, its applications include:
- Specialized alloys to increase the strength of steel.
- High-temperature components for aerospace and military applications.
- Radiation shielding.
- Kinetic energy penetrators.