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by Nico 8th grade Mill Valley Middle School
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Mendeleev predicted that there were many more elements missing from the table and one of which had an atomic weight between 40 of calcium and 48 of titanium. That description perfectly fits Scandium. The element was then discovered years later by Lars Nilson in 1878 in Scandinavia within the minerals euxenite and gadolnite. When Nilson extracted 2g of pure Scandium Oxide scientists found that it exactly matched Mendeleev's Ekaboron. |
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Approximately 20 kg's of Scandium is used every year in the U.S. for high intensity light. The radioactive isotope 46Sc is used as a tracing agent in refinery crackers for crude oil. Scandium iodine mixed with Mercury vapor lamps produces a highly effective light source which is important for indoor or nighttime color T.V. |
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Scandium is very abundant in the sun and other stars rather than on the earth. Although it used to be thought to only be found in Scandinavia and certain minerals it can now be found in over 800 minerals. It is said to produce the blue color beryl aquamarine. It occurs in the rare mineral thortveitie found in Scandinavia and Malagasy. It is also found in the resides remanning after the extraction of Tungsten. |
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