Scandium (Sc)
"The ultimate lightweight champion, Scandium makes high-performance gear incredibly strong without adding bulk, powering your wildest adventures!"
A memorable persona to anchor Sc in your mind.
2.985
Grams per cm³
1541
Celsius (°C)
211
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The invisible power-up in your pro-level sports gear and the reason jets fly faster with less fuel.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1879
Discovered By
Lars Fredrik Nilson
Origin of Name
"The name derives from ''Scandia'', the Latin name for Scandinavia."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
44.956 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
2836°C
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 3d14s2
1st Ionization Energy
6.561 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A sleek, silvery-white metal that looks cool and smooth, but packs a serious punch of strength."
Did You Know?
Dmitri Mendeleev, the legendary creator of the Periodic Table, predicted Scandium's existence (calling it "eka-boron") a decade before its actual discovery in 1879! Talk about a scientific prophecy!
This element proudly carries the name of its 'birthplace' – Scandinavia! Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilson discovered it, isolating it from the minerals euxenite and gadolinite.
Add even a tiny amount of Scandium to aluminum, and BAM! You create an alloy that's incredibly strong, super lightweight, and highly corrosion-resistant. It's aluminum on a major power-up!
That super-strong, super-light Scandium-aluminum alloy is exactly why it's a superstar in aerospace, making aircraft and rockets lighter, more fuel-efficient, and incredibly durable.