Sc
Scandium
Transition MetalAtomic Number: 21 • Atomic Mass: 44.9560 u • Period: 4 • Group: 3
Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹
Phase: Solid
Electronegativity: 1.36
Physical & Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- •Silvery-white metallic appearance
- •Relatively soft and light metal
- •High melting point (1814 K or 1541°C)
- •Good conductor of heat and electricity
- •Develops a slightly yellowish or pinkish cast when exposed to air
Melting Point
1814 K (1540.85 °C, 2805.53 °F)
Boiling Point
3109 K (2835.85 °C, 5136.53 °F)
Density
2.989 g/cm³
Electronegativity
1.36 (Pauling scale)
Chemical Properties
- •Resistant to attack by a mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acids
- •Oxidizes in air forming scandium oxide (Sc₂O₃)
- •Dissolves in most dilute acids
- •Forms trivalent compounds (+3 oxidation state)
- •Chemically similar to rare earth elements
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in atomic orbitals, showing how they are arranged in energy levels and subshells.