Tungsten (new) - Periodic Table of Videos

Summary

This engaging video delves into the fascinating world of tungsten, exploring its unique properties and various chemical reactions through a series of exciting experiments. From demonstrating tungsten's density by comparing it to mercury, to creating colorful reactions with sodium and bromine, the video showcases tungsten's versatility. It also highlights the importance of skilled technicians, like Neil, in making these experiments successful. Sponsored by the Gatsby Foundation, the video emphasizes the crucial role of technicians in science. Whether experimenting with tungsten powder or testing its behavior in different environments, this video offers a captivating look at one of the most intriguing elements on the periodic table.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tungsten is a very dense metal, belonging to Group 6 in the periodic table. Its atoms pack tightly together due to their heavy weight, making the metal compact yet heavy.
• 😀 The symbol for tungsten, W, comes from the German name 'Wolfram', reflecting its historical significance in the field of chemistry.
• 😀 Tungsten is used in various everyday applications, including the vibrating element in phones and the tips of drill bits, due to its density and durability.
• 😀 A demonstration showed that a 1 kg piece of tungsten was much smaller than expected, about 3 cm in diameter, yet still very heavy compared to a liter of water.
• 😀 Tungsten is so dense that it sinks in mercury, while other elements like meibum, which is less dense, float on the mercury's surface.
• 😀 In a chemical experiment, tungsten was heated with sodium and tungsten trioxide, producing a brief flash and a potential reaction to form tungsten bronze, with varying colors depending on the sodium amount.
• 😀 The heating of tungsten wire in a vacuum, specifically in a lightbulb, resulted in glowing tungsten without burning due to the lack of oxygen, demonstrating the element's high melting point.
• 😀 A striking experiment involved heating tungsten wire in bromine gas, where it reacted to form tungsten bromide, creating swirling smoke and intense reactions.
• 😀 When tungsten powder was heated in air, it produced tungsten trioxide, which expanded in volume—a surprising behavior as most substances shrink when oxidized.
• 😀 Despite tungsten's unique properties, it is not ideal for fireworks due to its density and weight, which could prevent the firework from achieving lift and a spectacular display.

Q & A

What is tungsten, and where is it located on the periodic table?

Tungsten is a dense metal located in Group 6 of the periodic table. It is known for its high density, which increases as you move down the periodic table.

Why is tungsten used in phones, and what is its role in mobile devices?

Tungsten is used in mobile phones because it is small and heavy, making it ideal for the vibrating element in phones. Its weight helps generate vibrations that users can feel.

What is the origin of the symbol 'W' for tungsten?

'W' is the symbol for tungsten, derived from the German name *Wolfram*, meaning 'heavy stone,' which refers to the metal's density.

How does tungsten's density compare to other metals, like mercury?

Tungsten is much denser than mercury. This difference is highlighted in an experiment where a piece of tungsten sinks in mercury, whereas a denser material, like meibum, would float.

What happened in the experiment where tungsten reacted with mercury?

In the experiment, tungsten was dropped into mercury, where it sank like a stone, unlike other materials, such as meibum, that floated. This led to a creative demonstration involving a 'life jacket' made of meibum to make the tungsten float.

What is tungsten bronze, and how is it created?

Tungsten bronze is a compound formed when sodium reacts with tungsten trioxide. In an experiment, heating sodium with tungsten trioxide caused a brief flash and the formation of tungsten bronze, which can exhibit different colors depending on the amount of sodium used.

Why did the tungsten wire behave differently when heated quickly versus slowly in experiments?

When tungsten wire was heated quickly, it disintegrated and formed blobs of oxide. However, when heated more slowly, the wire became thinner and eventually burned through, showing a contrast between the two heating methods.

What was the outcome when tungsten wire was heated in bromine gas?

When tungsten wire was heated in bromine gas, it reacted to form tungsten tribromide, producing a swirling smoke. The reaction occurred in the absence of oxygen, as bromine displaced it, making it a clean and visually interesting demonstration.

What is the role of polyoxometalates in scientific research involving tungsten?

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are compounds that contain clusters of metal atoms, including tungsten. These compounds have unique properties and are studied for their potential in advanced chemical reactions, such as extracting hydrogen from organic compounds like isopropyl alcohol.

Why is tungsten not suitable for fireworks, according to the transcript?

Tungsten is not suitable for fireworks because it burns slowly and forms a dense oxide, which would make fireworks too heavy to launch effectively. Additionally, it lacks the spectacular visual effect seen with other metals in fireworks.

What role do technicians play in scientific experiments, as highlighted in the video?

Technicians like Neil play a crucial role in conducting and troubleshooting scientific experiments. Their expertise allows complex demonstrations to run smoothly, ensuring that experiments are carried out safely and effectively, making science more accessible and engaging.