Helium
Atomic Number: 2 Helium is an element in the periodic table which is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic gas. It is the first element in the noble gas groupw with an atomic number of 2. Helium has the lowest boiling point and melting point of all the elements in the table. This element is a very useful gas because it is used in blimps and all kinds of different balloons which when inhaled makes your voice sound awesome. Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, but here on earth, it's quite rare. There is barely any helium in the air we breathe (only 0.0005% of the earths atmosphere). Helium can be dug out from the ground, but because it is so light, when it has made it's way to the atmosphere it flies into space. It has 9 isotopes and 99.9998% of helium found is helium-4. Most helium is dug out in Texas which has the highest helium supply. Helium was discovered in 1868 by pierre Janssen and Norman Lockyer. The name is derived from the Greek, 'helios' meaning "sun". |
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