Scandium (Sc)

Scandium properties

Atomic number

21

Atomic mass

44.956 u

Category

Transition metal

Group

3

Period

4

Block

d-block

State at room temp.

Solid

Electronegativity

1.36

Melting point

1,814 K (1,540.8 °C)

Boiling point

3,109 K (2,835.8 °C)

Density

2.989 g/cm³

Valence electrons

2

Common charges

+3

Oxidation states

+3

Atomic radius

211 pm

Ionization energy

6.561 eV

Electron affinity

0.188 eV

Radioactive

No, has stable isotopes

Discovered

1879

Scandium electron configuration

The electron configuration of Scandium (Sc) is [Ar] 3d1 4s2. Its 21 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 9, 2.

Protons, neutrons and electrons in Scandium

A neutral Scandium atom has 21 protons and 21 electrons. Most Scandium atoms have about 24 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 45, minus the atomic number 21.

Neutrons are approximate: atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons (isotopes). Atomic number and mass

How many valence electrons does Scandium have?

2

Scandium has 2 valence electrons, counting the electrons in its outermost s subshell. Like most transition metals, it can also use d electrons in bonding.

See every element: Periodic table with valence electrons

Scandium orbital diagram

Each box is an orbital that holds up to two electrons with opposite spins (↑↓). The inner shells are the same as the noble gas in brackets. How to write electron configurations

Molar mass of Scandium

44.956 g/mol

One mole of Scandium atoms (6.022 × 10²³ atoms) has a mass of 44.956 grams. Use this value to convert between grams and moles.

Scandium facts

• Dmitri Mendeleev predicted this element's existence and properties in 1871, calling it 'eka-boron', eight years before it was found.
• Scandium is not especially rare in Earth's crust, but it is thinly spread and seldom concentrated in ores, which makes it expensive.
• Scandium (Sc) has atomic number 21 and is a solid at room temperature. It was discovered in 1879.

Position in the periodic table

Scandium is element 21, in period 4 and group 3 of the periodic table, in the d-block.

All transition metals

Uses of Scandium

Scandium is mainly used in small amounts to strengthen aluminum alloys, which have been used in aerospace parts and in sports equipment such as bicycle frames, baseball bats and lacrosse sticks. Scandium iodide is added to metal-halide lamps to produce bright, sunlight-like light for stadiums and film sets. Scandium-stabilized zirconia also serves as the electrolyte in some solid oxide fuel cells.

Who discovered Scandium?

Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilson discovered scandium in 1879 at Uppsala, finding it in the rare minerals euxenite and gadolinite, and named it after Scandinavia. The pure metal was not produced until 1937.

Where does the name come from?

Scandium is named after Scandinavia, from its Latin name Scandia. Lars Fredrik Nilson chose the name in 1879 because he discovered the element in rare minerals from Scandinavia.

Discovery timeline