scandium

[ skan-dee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a rare, trivalent, metallic element obtained from thortveitite. : Sc; : 44.956; : 21; : 3.0.

scandium

/ ˈskændɪəm /

noun

1. a rare light silvery-white metallic element occurring in minute quantities in numerous minerals. Symbol: Sc; atomic no: 21; atomic wt: 44.955910; valency: 3; relative density: 2.989; melting pt: 1541°C; boiling pt: 2836°C

scandium

/ skăn′dē-əm /

1. A soft, silvery, very lightweight metallic element that is found in various rare minerals and is a byproduct in the processing of certain uranium ores. It has a high melting point and is used to make high-intensity lights. Atomic number 21; atomic weight 44.956; melting point 1,540°C; boiling point 2,850°C; specific gravity 2.99; valence 3.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; Scandia, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandium¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin Scandia Scandinavia, where it was discovered

Example Sentences

The most challenging and expensive aspect of making pure rare earth materials -- the 14 lanthanides as well as yttrium and scandium -- for clean energy technologies is separating individual rare earth elements from one another.

From Science Daily

The deep sea hosts potato-sized rocks called nodules and crusts which contain minerals such as lithium, scandium and cobalt, critical for clean technologies, including in batteries.

From BBC

In the process, she identified scandium-45 with its long-lived first-excited energy state as the superior candidate both for quantum nuclear storage and the nuclear clock.

From Science Daily

However, these hopes quickly died out, as the chloride batteries were considered impractical due to their heavy reliance on expensive rare earth metals, including yttrium, scandium, and lanthanide elements, as secondary components.

From Science Daily

Currently, America imports all the niobium and scandium and most of the titanium and rare earths that NioCorp hopes to produce.

From Seattle Times