Scandium is a chemical element with the symbol Sc and atomic number 21. It is a silvery-white metallic transition metal belonging to the lanthanide series in the periodic table and is the first element in the third row of the periodic table.
It is a relatively rare element, with an abundance in the Earth’s crust estimated to be between 20 to 25 parts per million.
| Property | Value |
| Atomic Number | 21 |
| Symbol | Sc |
| Element Name | Scandium |
| Atomic Mass | 44.9559 g/mol |
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Topics to explain Scandium:
- Properties of Scandium: Scandium is a silvery-white, shiny metal with a melting point of 1541 °C and a boiling point of 2830 °C. It is relatively soft and malleable and has high electrical and thermal conductivity.
- Isotopes of Scandium: Scandium is found in nature in two isotopes, 45Sc and 47Sc. 45Sc is the most abundant isotope, with 47Sc representing the remaining fraction.
- Occurrence of Scandium: Scandium is found in small quantities in various minerals, such as monazite, cryolite, thortveitite, and xenotime. It is also found in meteorites and in some terrestrial rocks.
- Uses of Scandium: Scandium is used in the production of alloys which are used in a variety of applications, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and sports equipment. It is also used in certain types of lasers and in certain types of light bulbs.
- Safety and Hazards of Scandium: Scandium is not considered to be toxic and is not a health hazard. However, it can cause irritation if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. It is also flammable and should be handled with care.
Scandium Facts for Kids
- Scandium is a rare metallic element with the atomic number 21.
- It was discovered in 1879 by Lars Fredrik Nilson.
- Scandium is silvery-white in color and is found in nature in trace amounts.
- It is a transition metal and is a member of the lanthanide series of elements.
- It’s a relatively soft metal that is quite reactive with oxygen, water, and acids.
- Scandium is used in many alloys to strengthen aluminum, which is used in aircraft and other transportation vehicles.
- Scandium is also used in discharge lamps to make lasers and special alloys for nuclear reactors.
- Scandium is found in many minerals, such as thortveitite, euxenite, and gadolinite, but it is rarely found in concentrations high enough to make extraction economically feasible.
- Scandium is found in some meteorites and can also be produced in nuclear reactors.
- Scandium has no known biological role and is not an essential element for humans.
Characteristics and Properties
Scandium is a silvery-white metal that is found in nature, but it is very rare. It is a member of the transition metals on the periodic table, which means it has special properties that make it useful for a lot of different things. Scandium is very light and strong, so it is often used to make strong, lightweight materials like aircraft parts and golf clubs.
It is also used to make special alloys that are used in things like car parts and electronics. Scandium is difficult to find in large enough quantities to be used for anything, so it is very valuable. All in all, Scandium is a rare and unique metal that has some very special characteristics that make it very useful and valuable.
Where is Scandium found on Earth?
Scandium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly reactive and has a wide variety of uses. It is known for its high heat capacity, low weight, and high strength, which makes it a desirable material for use in many industries.
It is found in many different minerals and rocks on Earth. It is most commonly found in pegmatites, which are igneous rocks that are composed of feldspars, mica, and quartz. It is also found in bauxite, a type of aluminum ore.
To obtain Scandium, miners must extract it from pegmatites and bauxite deposits. This is done by crushing the ore and then separating the Scandium from the other metals and minerals in the ore.
How is Scandium used today?
It has many different uses, including in nuclear reactors, aluminum-scandium alloys, and lasers. It is also used in the production of phosphors, which are used in many different applications, such as TV screens and fluorescent lighting.
How was Scandium discovered?
Scandium was discovered in 1879 by Swedish chemist Lars F. Nilson while examining samples of a rare mineral called euxenite. After isolating what he believed to be a new element, he determined its atomic weight and other properties and named it Scandium after the Latin name for Scandinavia. Nilson’s discovery of Scandium was confirmed in 1881 by German chemist Clemens Winkler.
Where did Scandium get its name?
Scandium is named after the Latin word Scandia, which is derived from the Latin name Scandinavia. Scandia is a region that includes the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Scandium was first discovered in 1879 as a mineral found in Scandinavia, and the name was chosen to reflect that origin.
