Scandium

Name:Scandium
Symbol:Sc
Atomic Number:21
Atomic Mass:44.955912
Density:15.00 g/cm^3
Melting Point:1541 °C
Boiling Point:2830 °C
Group Number:3
Group Name:(None)
Standard State:solid at room temperature
Color:silvery white
Classification:Metallic
Scandium is apparently a much more abundant element in the sun and certain stars than on earth.
Scandium is a silvery-white metal which develops a slightly yellowish or pinkish cast upon exposure to air. It is relatively soft, and resembles yttrium and the rare-earth metals more than it resembles aluminum or titanium. Scandium reacts rapidly with many acids.

Isolation

Preparation of metallic samples of scandium is not normally necessary given that it is commercially available. In practice little scandium is produced. The mineral thortveitite contains 35-40% Sc₂O₃ is used to produce scandium metal but another important source is as a byproduct from uranium ore processing, even though these only contain 0.02% Sc₂O₃.