TungstenElectron Configuration, Bohr Model, Valence Electrons & Orbital Diagram

The electron configuration of Tungsten is written as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s². Applying the Aufbau principle — filling orbitals from lowest to highest energy — plus the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund's Rule, we systematically place all 74 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s². Transition metals like Tungsten are defined by d-orbital filling. The five d-orbitals can hold up to 10 electrons and are responsible for Tungsten's multiple oxidation states, colored compounds, and catalytic activity.

Tungsten follows the standard Aufbau filling order without exception. The noble gas shorthand [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s² replaces the inner-shell electrons with the symbol of the preceding noble gas, highlighting that only the outer electrons — 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s² — are chemically active. Note: for Period 4+ elements, the 4s orbital fills before 3d per Madelung's rule, even though 3d ends at a lower energy in the final atom.

Shell-by-shell, Tungsten's 74 electrons are distributed as: K-shell (n=1): 2 electrons; L-shell (n=2): 8 electrons; M-shell (n=3): 18 electrons; N-shell (n=4): 32 electrons; O-shell (n=5): 12 electrons; P-shell (n=6): 2 electrons. The P-shell (n=6) is the valence shell, containing 6 electrons.

Chemically, this configuration places Tungsten in Group 6 with oxidation states of 6, 4, 2. The partially (or fully) filled d-subshell is the source of Tungsten's variable valency, colored compounds, and catalytic behavior.

The SPDF orbital model describes Tungsten's electrons not as planetary orbits but as three-dimensional probability clouds — each orbital a region of space where an electron is most likely to be found. Tungsten's 74 electrons occupy 14 distinct subshells: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s², governed by three quantum mechanical rules.

The Pauli Exclusion Principle ensures no two electrons in Tungsten share the same four quantum numbers (n, l, m_l, m_s). This is why the 1s orbital holds only 2 electrons, the full p-subshell holds 6, d holds 10, and f holds 14. Without this rule, all 74 electrons would collapse into the 1s orbital. For Tungsten's d-electrons, Hund's Rule requires filling each of the five d-orbitals singly before pairing. This maximizes electron spin, producing Tungsten's characteristic magnetic moment and explaining its tendency toward specific oxidation states.

Following standard orbital filling, Tungsten fills orbitals in the sequence: 1s → 2s → 2p → 3s → 3p → 4s → 3d → 4p → 5s → 4d → 5p → 6s → 4f → 5d → 6p → 7s → 5f → 6d → 7p. The final electron enters the 6s² subshell, making Tungsten a d-block element with 6 valence electrons in Group 6.

The outermost electrons — 6s² — are Tungsten's chemical agents. Understanding the 6s² occupancy — how many electrons, whether paired or unpaired, the orbital shape involved — is the foundation for predicting Tungsten's bonding geometry, oxidation behavior, and compound formation.

Tungsten's chemical reactivity is shaped by three interlocking properties: electronegativity (2.36 Pauling), first ionization energy (7.864 eV), and electron affinity (0.815 eV). Its electronegativity is moderate (2.36) — capable of both polar covalent and some ionic bonding. This mid-scale electronegativity enables Tungsten to participate in both polar covalent and ionic bonding depending on its partner.

The first ionization energy of 7.864 eV sits in the moderate range, allowing some ionic character in the right partner combinations. The electron affinity of 0.815 eV represents the energy released when Tungsten gains one electron, indicating a meaningful but moderate acceptance of electrons.

Tungsten's reactivity varies by oxidation state and chemical environment. Its d-electrons enable multiple oxidation states (6, 4, 2), making it valuable in both redox and coordination chemistry.

Placing Tungsten between Tantalum (Z=73) and Rhenium (Z=75) reveals the incremental property changes that make the periodic table a predictive tool.

Tantalum → Tungsten: adding one proton and one electron increases nuclear charge by 1. Valence electrons shift from 5 to 6 (Group 5 → Group 6). Electronegativity: 1.5 → 2.36 | Ionization energy: 7.549 → 7.864 eV. Atomic radius decreases from 200 pm to 193 pm, consistent with increasing nuclear pull across a period.

Tungsten → Rhenium: the additional proton and electron in Rhenium changes the valence electron count from 6 to 7, crossing from Group 6 to Group 7. Both elements share Transition Metal character, with Rhenium exhibiting slightly different electronegativity. These comparisons confirm that Tungsten sits at a well-defined chemical inflection point in the periodic table.