Scandium, atomic number 21. It is the first of the transition metals, and its discovery is entwined with that of vertical neighbours yttrium and lanthanum.

What is scandium and its uses?

Uses of Scandium

Scandium iodide is used in mercury vapor lamps, which are used to replicate sunlight in studios for the film and television industry. Scandium oxide (scandia), is used to make high intensity “stadium” lights. The radioactive isotope ⁴⁵Sc is used in oil refineries as a tracing agent.

What are two interesting facts about Scandium?

Fun Scandium Facts

• Scandium is a silvery-white relatively light and soft metal at room temperature. ...
• Scandium is used in alloys much like aluminum. ...
• Scandium is considered a rare-earth element because it is often found in rare-earth ores. ...
• Scandium is the 35th most abundant element in the Earth's crust.

What is scandium known for?

Scandium is mainly used for research purposes. It has, however, great potential because it has almost as low a density as aluminium and a much higher melting point. An aluminium-scandium alloy has been used in Russian MIG fighter planes, high-end bicycle frames and baseball bats.

Where is scandium found on the periodic table?

scandium (Sc), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of Group 3 of the periodic table.

Scandium - Periodic Table of Videos

21 related questions found

What is the meaning of the word scandium?

: a silvery-white metallic element found widely especially in association with rare earth elements and used especially in alloys and in high-intensity electric lamps — see Chemical Elements Table.

How is scandium formed?

Thortveitite can contain up to 45% of scandium in the form of scandium oxide. The stable form of scandium is created in supernovas via the r-process. Also, scandium is created by cosmic ray spallation of the more abundant iron nuclei.

How is scandium obtained?

Scandium can be obtained from the minerals thortveitite ((Sc, Y)₂Si₂O₇), bazzite (Be₃(Sc, Al)₂Si₆O₁₈) and wiikite, but is usually obtained as a byproduct of refining uranium. ... Metallic scandium was first produced in 1937 and the first pound (0.45 kilograms) of pure scandium was produced in 1960.

How common is scandium?

Scandium is the 31^st most abundant element on Earth, according to Periodic Table, with about 22 parts per million abundance by weight in Earth's crust, according to Chemicool. Scandium is scattered thinly and has been found in over 800 minerals.

Is scandium a metalloid?

Scandium is chemical element number 21 on the periodic table. Its symbol is Sc. Scandium is a metal in a group known as the transition metals. It is also a rare earth metal.

What is yttrium used for?

Yttrium is often used as an additive in alloys. It increases the strength of aluminium and magnesium alloys. It is also used in the making of microwave filters for radar and has been used as a catalyst in ethene polymerisation. Yttrium-aluminium garnet (YAG) is used in lasers that can cut through metals.

How many ions does scandium have?

Why does Scandium only exist in the 3+ ion.

What is scandium Mohs hardness?

Brinell hardness of Scandium is approximately 740 – 1200 MPa. The Vickers hardness test method was developed by Robert L. ... The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is based on the ability of one natural sample of mineral to scratch another mineral visibly. Scandium is has a hardness of approximately N/A.

What is the science definition of yttrium?

: a metallic element with atomic number 39 usually included in the rare-earth group that occurs usually with other rare earth elements in minerals and is used especially in phosphors, YAG lasers, alloys, and treatments for certain cancers — see Chemical Elements Table.

How do you speak scandium?

Here are 4 tips that should help you perfect your pronunciation of 'scandium':

1. Break 'scandium' down into sounds: [SKAN] + [DEE] + [UHM] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
2. Record yourself saying 'scandium' in full sentences, then watch yourself and listen.

What is origin of element name and description of Copernicium?

Word origin: Copernicium is named for Nicolaus Copernicus, the famed astronomer and mathematician. The symbol Cp was initially recommended for element 112, but was rejected because Cp had once been used as the symbol for lutetium, which, prior to 1949, was sometimes called cassiopeium. ... They produced atoms of ²⁷⁷Cn.

Is scandium rare or common?

Scandium and yttrium are considered rare earth elements since they tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties. While named rare earths, they are in fact not that rare and are relatively abundant in the Earth's crust.

What is the flammability of scandium?

Specific Hazards Arising from the Material: Flammable in the form of dust when exposed to heat, sparks or flame. May react with water under fire conditions to liberate flammable hydrogen gas. May emit fumes of scandium oxide under fire conditions.

What is the history of scandium?

Scandium was discovered by Lars Frederick Nilson (a Scandinavian) in 1876 in the minerals euxenite and gadolinite, which had not yet been found anywhere except in Scandinavia. He and his coworkers were actually looking for rare earth metals.