Crossword Genius

Combination of scandium with other metal — that’s shocking (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scandal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'combination' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'scandium with other metal that's shocking' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'scandium' could be 'sc' (Sc is the chemical symbol for scandium) and 'sc' is present in the answer.
'with' could be 'and' and 'and' is found in the answer.
'metal' could be 'al' (chemical symbol for aluminium) and 'al' is located in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scandal that I've seen before include "Dishonour" , "dirt" , "Shocking thing" , "Subject of Sheridan's school" , "Shock" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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