21Sc44.956
Scandium
Transition metalsHard, shiny metals that conduct heat and electricity well and often form coloured compounds.
[Ar] 3d¹ 4s²
- Atomic number
- 21
- Atomic mass
- 44.956
- Protons
- 21
- Neutrons
- 24 (most common)
- Electrons
- 21
- Shells
- 2, 8, 9, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 3, period 4
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byLars Fredrik Nilson, 1879Lars Fredrik Nilson: 1 element
Mendeleev predicted this element in 1871 and called it eka-boron. Nilson found it in Scandinavian minerals and named it after Scandinavia.
Did you know?
- It was predicted before anyone had seen it.
- A little scandium makes aluminium much stronger.
Where it's found
- Rare minerals like thortveitite
- Tiny amounts in many ores
What it's used for
- Aluminium–scandium alloys for bike frames and sports gear
- Bright stadium and film lights
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Scandium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.