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Scandium

Metalsolid
Symbol: Sc
Atomic number: 21
Atomic mass: 44.955910
Group: Transition Metal
CAS-number: 7440-20-2

Physical data
Isotopes
Other info
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Physical data

Electronic data

Shells: 2, 8, 9, 2
Orbitals: [Ar] 3d1 4s2
Electronegativity: 1.3, 1.2
1. Ionization potential: 6.5614 eV
2. Ionization potential: 12.80 eV
3. Ionization potential: 24.76 eV
Oxidation states: 3
Electrical conductivity: 0.0177 10^6

Thermal data

Melting point: 1541 °C
Boiling point: 2830 °C
Specific heat: 0.6 J/gK
Heat of fusion: 14.10 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization: 314.20 kJ/mol
Thermal conductivity: 0.158 W/cmK

Steric data

Atomic radius: 2.09 Å
Ionic radius: 0.75 Å (+3)
Covalent radius: 1.44 Å
Atomic volume: 15.0 cm³/mol
Density (293 K): 3.0 g/cm³
Crystal structure: hexagonal
hexagonal

Isotopes

NuclideAbundance [%]MassSpinHalflifeDecay modeDecay tree
44Sc 0 44 2 3.927h β+, EC View
45Sc 100 44.9559 7/2 -- --
46Sc 0 45.955 4 83.81d β- View
46Scm 0 46 1 18.72s IT View
47Sc 0 47 7/2 3.349d β- View
48Sc 0 48 6 43.67h β- View
49Sc 0 49 7/2 57.3m β- View

Other info

Name origin:Latin: Scandia, Scandinavia
Description:Fairly soft, silvery-white metal. Eighth most abundant 'rare earth' found in the earth's crust (5.0 ppm).
Discovered by:Lars Nilson
Year:1879
Place:Sweden
Sources:Occurs mainly in the minerals thortveitile (~34% scandium) and wiikite. Also in some tin and tungsten ores. Pure scandium is obtained as a by-product of uranium refining.
Use(s):Scandium metal is used in some aerospace applications. Scandum oxide (Sc2O3) is used in the manufacture of high-intensity electric lamps. Scandium iodide (ScI3) is used in lamps that produce light having a color closely matching natural sunlight.