Scandium

TRANSITION METAL

Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Scandium is a chemical element with symbol Sc and atomic number 21. A silvery-white metallic d-block element, it has historically been sometimes classified as a rare earth element, together with yttrium and the lanthanoids. It was discovered in 1879 by spectral analysis of the minerals euxenite and gadolinite from Scandinavia.

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Quick Facts

Atomic Number 21

Period 4

Group 3

Phase Solid

Appearance silvery white

About Transition Metals

Transition metals are elements with partially filled d-orbitals. They are hard, have high melting points, and often form colored compounds.

History

Discovered By Lars Fredrik Nilson

Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 44.9559085

Density 2.985 g/L

Molar Heat 25.52 J/(mol·K)

Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Scandium melts at 1814 K and boils at 3109 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [Ar] 3d1 4s2

Electronegativity 1.36

Electron Affinity 18 kJ/mol

Ionization Energy 633.1 kJ/mol

Orbital Filling Diagram

This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule. Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down. Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.

Photograph

Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

Study Guide

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Atomic Mass

The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electron Config

The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.