Scandium is a soft, silvery-white metal with the atomic number 21. It is the first element in the transition metals group of the periodic table. Scandium was discovered in 1879 by Lars Fredrik Nilson, a Swedish chemist. It is found in small amounts in minerals like thortveitite and euxenite. Although rare, scandium is valuable because it improves the strength and lightness of aluminum alloys, which are used in aerospace components, sports equipment, and bicycles. Scandium compounds are also used in metal halide lamps to produce bright white light.