Periodic TableAll elementsScandium
No. 021
Sc
44.956 u
Element · Transition Metal

Scandium

Scandium (钪, symbol Sc) is chemical element number 21, a Transition Metal in period 4, group 3 of the periodic table, with a standard atomic weight of about 44.956. Silvery-white transition metal. Used in aerospace and sporting goods alloys.

Period 4Group 3[Ar] 3d¹ 4s²

Properties

Atomic number21
SymbolSc
Atomic mass44.956 u
CategoryTransition Metal
Period4
Group3
Electron configuration[Ar] 3d¹ 4s²
Electronegativity1.36
Covalent radius170 pm
Density2.989 g/cm³
Melting point1814 K
Boiling point3109 K
DiscoveryLars Fredrik Nilson, 1879

Overview

Silvery-white transition metal. Used in aerospace and sporting goods alloys. Element 21, Scandium (Sc), is a Transition Metal found in period 4, group 3. As a transition metal it commonly shows several oxidation states, forms coloured compounds, and is widely used in catalysts and alloys.

It has the configuration [Ar] 3d¹ 4s² and an electronegativity near 1.36; its 2 outer-shell electrons drive its bonding. Under standard conditions it exists as a solid; it melts near 1814 K (1540.9 °C), boils near 3109 K (2835.9 °C), has a density around 2.989 g/cm³.

It is widely used in Structural / Alloys and Research. It was first described by Lars Fredrik Nilson in 1879.

Electron shells

Sc21

Electrons per shell: 2 · 8 · 9 · 2

Main uses

Hazard

LowNo special hazard flags.

Compounds containing Scandium

No compounds in this knowledge base contain Scandium yet.

Data sources

Atomic mass uses IUPAC (CIAAW) standard atomic weights; the covalent radius is from Cordero et al. (2008). Verify on the RSC Periodic Table, PubChem and Wikipedia. Educational reference only.