Tungsten, identified by the atomic number 74, belongs to Group 6B and Period 6 of the periodic table. Its electron configuration is an essential aspect that determines its chemical properties and bonding behavior.
The valence shell configuration refers to the distribution of electrons in the outermost shell of an atom. For tungsten, the full electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2. This means that its electrons fill the 6s and 5d orbitals, making the valence electrons responsible for its chemical reactivity.
In simpler terms, tungsten has six electrons in its outer shells combined from the 6s and 5d orbitals. This configuration suggests that tungsten is quite capable of forming various oxidation states, often seen in compounds like tungsten (VI) oxide (WO3). Hence, when considering its valence shell configuration, one can expect tungsten to exhibit complex chemistry due to these accessible valence electrons.