Description

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Context

Tamil Nadu chief minister wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the cancellation of rights granted by the Centre to a private firm to mine tungsten in Madurai district.

About Tungsten

Tungsten, symbol W (from its German name Wolfram), is a chemical element with atomic number 74. Known for its exceptional physical and chemical properties, tungsten is a critical material in industrial applications and high-tech fields. It is widely used for its high melting point, density and strength.

Properties of Tungsten

Property	Details
Atomic Mass	183.84 amu
Melting Point	3422°C (highest among all metals)
Boiling Point	5930°C
Density	19.25 g/cm³
Electrical Conductivity	Moderate conductor of electricity.
Hardness	One of the hardest metals; ranks 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Chemical Stability	Resistant to oxidation at high temperatures and highly stable in most chemical environments.

Sources and Occurrence

Source	Details
Minerals	Found in minerals such as wolframite and scheelite.
Global Reserves	China, Russia, Canada, Austria and Bolivia are leading producers of tungsten.
Extraction	Extracted from ores through methods such as roasting and reduction with hydrogen or carbon.

Unique Characteristics

Feature	Explanation
High Melting Point	Makes tungsten suitable for applications in extreme heat environments.
High Density	Gives it significant weight, making it ideal for use in counterbalances and armor-piercing ammunition.
Tensile Strength	Ensures durability and resistance to deformation under stress.
Corrosion Resistance	Suitable for environments exposed to chemicals and oxidation.

Industrial Applications

Sector	Uses
Electronics	Filaments in light bulbs, electrodes and vacuum tube components due to high conductivity and heat resistance.
Aerospace	High-temperature shielding, rocket engine nozzles and aerospace-grade alloys.
Defense	Armor-piercing ammunition, missile components and military-grade alloys.
Healthcare	Tungsten-based shielding for radiation therapy and X-ray machines.
Manufacturing	Cutting tools, drill bits and high-strength alloys for heavy machinery.

Environmental and Health Impacts

Aspect	Details
Environmental Concerns	Mining of tungsten can lead to habitat destruction and water pollution.
Human Health	While tungsten is generally non-toxic exposure to tungsten dust can cause respiratory issues.

Sources:

Hindustantimes

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Tungsten:

Tungsten has high tensile strength, making it ideal for manufacturing cutting tools.
It is a good electrical conductor, often used in power transmission lines.
The majority of global tungsten reserves are concentrated in China.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. Tungsten’s hardness and tensile strength make it suitable for cutting tools like drill bits.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Tungsten is not used for power transmission lines as it is not as good a conductor as copper or aluminum.

Statement 3 is correct. China dominates global tungsten production and holds a majority of its reserves.