Element 21

Scandium (Sc)

Transition metal · Period 4 · Group 3 · d-block

Scandium (Sc) is element 21 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 4, group 3 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 44.956 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
21
Symbol
Sc
Atomic mass
44.956 u
Category
Transition metals
Period
4
Group
3
Block
d-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d1 4s2
Shorthand configuration
[Ar] 3d1 4s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 9, 2
Oxidation states
+1, +2, +3

Physical properties

Melting point
1814 K
Boiling point
3109 K
Density
2.989 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.36
Atomic radius
184 pm
Covalent radius
170 pm
Van der Waals radius
211 pm
First ionization energy
633 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
18 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Sc-4544.95591100%Stable

Common uses

  • Aerospace alloys
  • Sports equipment
  • Lighting
  • Lasers

Discovery

Year
1879
Discovered by
Lars Fredrik Nilson
Country
Sweden

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