Atomic number:21

Group numbers:3

Period:4

Electronic configuration:[Ar] 3d¹ 4s²

Formal oxidation number:+3

Electronegativities:1.36

Atomic radius / pm:160.6

Relative atomic mass:44.955912 ± 0.000006

 

Scandium was discovered by Lars Fredrik Nilson (SE) in 1879. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word Scandia meaning Scandinavia. It is a fairly soft, silvery-white metal. It burns easily and tarnishes readily in air, and react with water to form hydrogen gas Scandium occurs mainly in the minerals thortveitile (~34% scandium), wiikite and in some tin and tungsten ores. Pure scandium is obtained as a by-product of uranium refining. Scandium metal is used in some aerospace applications. Scandium oxide (Sc2O3) is used in the manufacture of high-intensity electric lamps. Scandium iodide (ScI3) is used in lamps that produce light having a colour closely matching natural sunlight.

Density / g dm^-3:2989 (273 K)

Molar volume / cm³mol^-1:15.04 (273 K)

Electrical resistivity / μΩcm:61 (20 °C)

Thermal conductivity / W m^-1K^-1:15.8

Melting point / °C:1541

Boiling point / °C:2836

Heat of fusion / kJ mol^-1:15.9

Heat of vaporization / kJ mol^-1:376.1

Heat of atomization / kJ mol^-1:376.02

1st ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:633.09

2nd ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:1234.99

3rd ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:2388.67

in the atmosphere / ppm:-

in the Earth's crust / ppm:30

in the oceans / ppm:0.00004