Introduction
Scandium is the first of transition elements. Its atomic number is 21 whereas its atomic mass is 44.95. It has 21 electrons. Scandium has 21 protons and 24 neutrons in its nucleus. Scandium is represented by the symbol “Sc”.
Naming and History
The name of Scandium is derived from the Latin “Scandia” word for Scandinavia. It is due to its presence in minerals out there.
- Mendeleev
In the periodic table of Mendeleev, there was a gap between the atomic weights of calcium (40) and titanium (48). He predicted the element with intermediate atomic weight and its oxide would be X2O3.
- Lars Frederik Nilson
Lars Frederik Nilson in 1879, in the University of Uppsala, Sweden discovered the Scandium. Nilson was studying the rare earth elements and trying to extract ytterbium from euxenite. Euxenite is a complex mineral consisting of eight metal oxides.
He was successful in extracting erbia (erbium oxide). He reacted this with nitrate to form erbium nitrate. He observed that his sample contain another element. He analyzed it under a spectroscope and found unique 30 spectral lines.
This was the element Scandium with low mass and its oxide Sc2O3 as predicted by Mendeleev. Nilson named it Scandium due to its occurrence in the minerals of Scandinavia.
- Fischer and his colleagues
In 1937, Fischer and his colleagues prepared metallic scandium for the first time by electrolysis of molten scandium with lithium and potassium chlorides in a graphite crucible with tungsten wire and anode of molten zinc.
Occurrence of Scandium
Scandium does not occur as a free element in nature. It is commonly found in minerals such as euxenite, thortveitite, gadolinite, bazzite, wiikite, etc. The mining of Fluorine and Tantalum produces scandium as a by-product. Scandium is also a by-product of uranium refinement.
Properties of Scandium
Scandium is silvery, soft transition metal. It is light as aluminium. On exposure to air, it tarnishes and forms a coat of yellowish or pinkish color. Once ignited, it burns easily in the air. It reacts with water to form hydrogen gas. When scandium fluoride is heated with calcium metal, pure scandium is obtained.
The melting point of scandium is 1541°C and its boiling point is 2836°C. It has a very low density of 2.99 grams per cubic centimeter. Scandium exists as a solid at room temperature and can react with many acids. Scandium has white oxides but its salts are mostly colorless.
Scandium in Biological System
There is no significant role of scandium in living organisms. It is considered to have low toxicity but is suspected as a carcinogen.
Uses of Scandium
Scandium is very light so alloyed with aluminium and used in aircraft, jet planes, Russian MIG Fighter planes.
It is used in making high-end bicycle frames.
In houses, it is component of color televisions, mercury lamps, and glasses. Scandium iodide is added to mercury lamps to produce light resembling sunlight.
Scandium is used as a catalyst in some industries.
Scandium is used in fishing rods, baseball bats, golf shafts, glass polishers.
Scandia which is scandium oxide is used in high-intensity lights which are used in stadiums.
Very dilute scandium sulfate is used in the proper germination of seeds such as corn, wheat, and peas.
Scandium is very costly, so it is avoided to use and instead, aluminium and titanium are frequently used.
Isotopes of Scandium
There are 13 known isotopes of Scandium. The only stable and naturally occurring isotope is Sc- 45.
- Scandium- 45 is a radioactive isotope and used as a detector to track leakages in underground pipes.
- It is also used as a tracer to monitor various fractions of crude oil during oil refining.
MCQs:
- Which group of the periodic table does scandium belong to?
- a) Group 2
- b) Group 13
- c) Group 15
- d) Group 3
- Answer: d) Group 3
- What is the atomic number of scandium?
- a) 24
- b) 21
- c) 15
- d) 83
- Answer: b) 21
- Who discovered scandium?
- a) Dmitri Mendeleev
- b) Lars Frederik Nilson
- c) Albert Einstein
- d) Marie Curie
- Answer: b) Lars Frederik Nilson
- What is the name of the element derived from the Latin word for Scandinavia?
- a) Scandium
- b) Mendeleevium
- c) Scandinavianium
- d) Nilsonium
- Answer: a) Scandium
- Which process was used to prepare metallic scandium for the first time?
- a) Electrolysis
- b) Fusion
- c) Distillation
- d) Evaporation
- Answer: a) Electrolysis
- In which type of minerals is scandium commonly found?
- a) Silicates
- b) Oxides
- c) Carbonates
- d) Sulfides
- Answer: b) Oxides
- What is the melting point of scandium?
- a) 1541°C
- b) 2836°C
- c) 961.78°C
- d) 2172°C
- Answer: a) 1541°C
- Which metal is scandium alloyed with for use in aircraft and jet planes?
- a) Titanium
- b) Copper
- c) Aluminium
- d) Iron
- Answer: c) Aluminium
- What is the only stable and naturally occurring isotope of scandium?
- a) Sc-48
- b) Sc-45
- c) Sc-56
- d) Sc-60
- Answer: b) Sc-45
- What is the primary use of scandium in high-intensity lights?
- a) To produce red light
- b) To produce blue light
- c) To produce yellow light
- d) To produce light resembling sunlight
- Answer: d) To produce light resembling sunlight
- Which of the following is a suspected role of scandium?
- a) A significant role in biological systems
- b) High toxicity
- c) Non-reactivity with water
- d) Non-corrosive properties
- Answer: a) A significant role in biological systems
- What is scandium used for in the chemical industry?
- a) Catalyst for acrylonitrile
- b) Catalyst for gasoline
- c) Catalyst for plastics
- d) Catalyst for explosives
- Answer: a) Catalyst for acrylonitrile
- Which isotopic form of scandium is used as a detector to track leakages in underground pipes?
- a) Sc-48
- b) Sc-45
- c) Sc-56
- d) Sc-60
- Answer: b) Sc-45
- What is the primary reason scandium is avoided in some applications despite its desirable properties?
- a) High toxicity
- b) Radioactivity
- c) Costliness
- d) Low availability
- Answer: c) Costliness
- What is the density of scandium?
- a) 7.87 grams per cubic centimeter
- b) 10.501 grams per cubic centimeter
- c) 9.807 grams per cubic centimeter
- d) 2.99 grams per cubic centimeter
- Answer: d) 2.99 grams per cubic centimeter
- Which element is commonly alloyed with scandium to make high-end bicycle frames?
- a) Titanium
- b) Copper
- c) Aluminium
- d) Steel
- Answer: c) Aluminium
- What is the primary color of the coat formed when scandium tarnishes upon exposure to air?
- a) Blue
- b) Yellowish or pinkish
- c) Green
- d) Red
- Answer: b) Yellowish or pinkish
Summary:
Scandium, the first of the transition elements, holds significance in the realm of chemistry and industry. Its discovery, attributed to Lars Frederik Nilson in 1879, stemmed from the exploration of rare earth elements. Named after Scandinavia, it is commonly found in various minerals such as euxenite and thortveitite, often as a by-product of mining activities.
This silvery, soft transition metal boasts properties that make it valuable for diverse applications. With a low density and a melting point of 1541°C, scandium is alloyed with aluminum for use in aerospace engineering, sports equipment, and even household appliances. Despite its potential, scandium’s high cost impedes widespread utilization, leading to the preference of more economical alternatives like aluminum and titanium.
In biological systems, scandium plays no significant role, and its toxicity, though low, is under scrutiny for potential carcinogenic effects. Nonetheless, its isotopic form Sc-45 finds use in detecting underground pipe leakages and monitoring fractions of crude oil during refining processes.
From aircraft components to seed germination aids, scandium’s versatility underscores its importance in modern industry, despite its limited usage due to economic constraints.
For further exploration, one might delve into topics such as filtration methods or the significance of the Cori cycle in biochemistry.