Scandium: Element Overview

Basic Information

• Symbol: Sc
• Atomic Number: 21
• Atomic Weight: 44.955908 u
• Element Category: Transition metal
• Group: 3
• Period: 4

Physical Properties

• Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
• Melting Point: 1541 °C (2806 °F)
• Boiling Point: 2830 °C (5126 °F)
• Density: 2.985 g/cm³ at 20 °C
• Color: Silvery-white
• Crystal Structure: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)

Chemical Properties

• Electronegativity: 1.36 (Pauling scale)
• Ionization Energies:
  • First: 633.1 kJ/mol
  • Second: 1235 kJ/mol
  • Third: 2388.6 kJ/mol
• Reactivity: Reacts with water to form hydrogen gas and scandium hydroxide, and reacts with acids to form scandium salts.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotope: Scandium has one stable isotope: Sc-45.
• Radioisotopes: Several, including Sc-46 and Sc-47, which are used in scientific research and medical applications.

Occurrence and Production

• Natural Abundance: Scandium is the 50th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.
• Sources: Found in rare minerals like thortveitite, euxenite, and gadolinite. Also present in small amounts in many uranium and thorium ores.
• Production: Produced by reducing scandium fluoride with calcium metal. It can also be extracted from waste products of uranium refinement.

Uses and Applications

• Alloys: Used in small amounts to improve the strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys, especially in aerospace components and sports equipment.
• Lighting: Scandium iodide is used in metal halide lamps, which are used in stadium lighting and high-intensity lighting.
• Aerospace: Used in high-performance materials for military and aerospace applications.
• Electronics: Used in the production of electronic devices due to its favorable electronic properties.
• Research: Used as a tracer in scientific studies and in radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging.

Safety and Precautions

• Reactivity: Scandium metal is relatively non-reactive, but its compounds should be handled with care.
• Handling: Scandium should be handled in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhalation of dust and fumes.
• Health: Scandium and its compounds are considered to be of low toxicity, but care should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure.

Biological Role

• Non-essential Element: Scandium has no known biological role and is not essential for life.

Historical Background

• Discovery: Discovered in 1879 by Lars Fredrik Nilson in Sweden.
• Naming: Named after Scandinavia, where it was discovered.

Interesting Facts

• Scandium Alloys: Scandium-aluminum alloys are used in sports equipment such as baseball bats, bicycle frames, and lacrosse sticks.
• Rare Earth Element: Often classified as a rare earth element due to its occurrence in rare minerals and similar properties to other rare earth metals.
• Scandium Lamps: Metal halide lamps using scandium iodide produce light that closely resembles natural sunlight, making them ideal for television and film lighting.

Summary

Scandium is a transition metal with a silvery-white appearance and a variety of industrial applications, particularly in aerospace and lighting. It is found in rare minerals and produced by reducing scandium fluoride. Discovered in the late 19th century, scandium is used to enhance the properties of aluminum alloys and in high-intensity lighting. While it has no known biological role, it is used in scientific research and medical applications due to its unique properties.

Questions and Answers about Scandium:

1. Q: What is the chemical symbol for Scandium?

   • A: Sc

2. Q: What is the atomic number of Scandium?

   • A: 21

3. Q: What type of element is Scandium?

   • A: Transition metal

4. Q: What is the atomic weight of Scandium?

   • A: 44.955908 u

5. Q: What group is Scandium in?

   • A: Group 3

6. Q: What period is Scandium in?

   • A: Period 4

7. Q: What is the phase of Scandium at room temperature?

   • A: Solid

8. Q: What is the melting point of Scandium?

   • A: 1541 °C (2806 °F)

9. Q: What is the boiling point of Scandium?

   • A: 2830 °C (5126 °F)

10. Q: What is the density of Scandium at 20 °C?

    • A: 2.985 g/cm³

11. Q: What is the color of Scandium metal?

    • A: Silvery-white

12. Q: What is the crystal structure of Scandium?

    • A: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)

13. Q: What is the electronegativity of Scandium?

    • A: 1.36 (Pauling scale)

14. Q: What is the first ionization energy of Scandium?

    • A: 633.1 kJ/mol

15. Q: How many stable isotopes does Scandium have?

    • A: One (Sc-45)

16. Q: What is the most common isotope of Scandium?

    • A: Sc-45

17. Q: How is Scandium commercially produced?

    • A: By reducing scandium fluoride with calcium metal

18. Q: What is the natural abundance of Scandium in the Earth’s crust?

    • A: 50th most abundant element

19. Q: What common minerals contain Scandium?

    • A: Thortveitite, euxenite, gadolinite

20. Q: What industry uses Scandium extensively for alloys?

    • A: Aerospace industry

21. Q: What is one use of Scandium in lighting?

    • A: Metal halide lamps

22. Q: What role does Scandium play in the electronics industry?

    • A: Used in the production of electronic devices

23. Q: Why is Scandium used in sports equipment?

    • A: To improve strength and durability

24. Q: What is the biological role of Scandium in the body?

    • A: Scandium has no known biological role

25. Q: Who discovered Scandium?

    • A: Lars Fredrik Nilson

26. Q: In what year was Scandium discovered?

    • A: 1879

27. Q: What is the origin of the name “Scandium”?

    • A: Named after Scandinavia

28. Q: What property makes Scandium reactive with water?

    • A: Produces hydrogen gas and scandium hydroxide

29. Q: What health hazard is associated with Scandium metal?

    • A: Generally low toxicity, but care should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure

30. Q: How should Scandium metal be stored?

    • A: In well-ventilated areas to avoid accumulation of dust and fumes

31. Q: What is the second ionization energy of Scandium?

    • A: 1235 kJ/mol

32. Q: What is the third ionization energy of Scandium?

    • A: 2388.6 kJ/mol

33. Q: Is Scandium essential for plant health?

    • A: No, it is not essential for plant growth

34. Q: What is the significance of Scandium in scientific research?

    • A: Used as a tracer and in radiopharmaceuticals

35. Q: What is the role of Scandium in high-performance materials?

    • A: Enhances strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance

36. Q: How does Scandium benefit the aerospace industry?

    • A: Used in high-performance materials for military and aerospace applications

37. Q: What is Scandium’s role in improving aluminum alloys?

    • A: Increases strength and durability

38. Q: What is the use of Scandium in medical imaging?

    • A: Used in radiopharmaceuticals for imaging

39. Q: How does Scandium contribute to the production of electronic devices?

    • A: Used for its favorable electronic properties

40. Q: What color does Scandium impart to a flame?

    • A: Scandium does not impart a distinct color to a flame, but scandium compounds can produce various colors depending on the compound.