Helium: Discover all about the lightest gas on the Periodic Table

The second element of the periodic table, discovered in 1895 The second most abundant element in the universe: helium gas! Although it is known as the party balloon gas, it has much more complex uses in different types of technology.

From astronautics to your crew, this versatile gas is not considered a renewable resource and has experienced some supply crises on the planet, causing disruptions in industry and scientific research.

Learn more about helium gas, its properties, extraction sources, uses and whether it poses any risks to human health.

What’s in the Sun? Helium is a new element

In 1868, French astronomer Pierre Janssen observed the Sun during a total solar eclipse that occurred in India. He observed that during the astronomical event, the solar corona of the host star had a yellowish color and suggested that this event could be associated with another type of chemical element.

British scientist and astronomer Joseph Norman Lockyer made observations similar to Janssen’s and It was stated that the “new element” was a metal and that it was named in reference to the Sun, where it was first observed..

In later years, other scientists came to the same conclusion about the existence of helium and showed that the same phenomenon, as described by Luigi Palmieri in 1882, could be seen not only in the Sun but also in volcanoes.

However, the element was only “measured” in 1895, when it was formalized by Teodor Cleve and Nils Abraham Langlet in Switzerland and included in the family of noble gases by Sir William Ramsay in London.

How is helium formed?

Although it is the second most abundant element in the universe Helium gas is concentrated mainly in stellar bodies. Hydrogen nuclei undergo a reaction called nucleosynthesis in the hearts of stars that results in the production of helium.

It is formed as a result of the decay of radioactive elements such as Thorium and Uranium in the Earth’s soil and crust. However, the density of helium is very low; This means that only some of this gas is “sequestered” in natural reserves along with other gases.

But do not think that it is hanging “in the air”. Only a small percentage, about 0.0005%, remains in our atmosphere. The rest break the barrier and return to the cosmos.

Therefore, the main source of helium for various terrestrial uses comes from refining natural gas. There is a small, adventurous group trying to capture the gas directly from the air, but this is a much more expensive and ineffective process.

What is helium for?

Helium gas is one of the few elements that can be cooled to near absolute zero and still remain in a liquid state (-273.15 °C). Additionally, it is odorless, colorless and inert, making this gas an indispensable component for various research, industrial production and recreational activities; But a select group of people think entertainment is a waste of a valuable, non-renewable resource. I agree with them.

The gas was used in astronavigation to cool oxygen on the Apollo missions, as well as acting as a shield for satellite systems and circuits even today. Helium also has direct scientific uses in its gaseous curriculum, magnetic fields, cryogenics, and particle accelerator (LHC) experiments..

Used in industry such as leak detection in car air conditioning, arc welding, helium-neon lasers, airbags and optical fibers. In the medical field, magnets are used in magnetic resonance imaging machines for both research purposes and cooling systems. It can also be used in air cylinders for diving in a mixture of 79 parts helium and 21 parts oxygen. GettyImages

But what is life without free time? One such noble gas, and in fact noble gases that are part of the 18th family of the periodic tableIt’s often used in party balloons that dissolve and rise into the sky, leaving children in tears.

Another “fun” practice is to inhale gas to make the voice sound thinner. But even though helium is non-toxic, overexposure can cause breathing problems, red eyes, nausea, and headaches.

Helium is in crisis

The main sources of helium in the world come from the United States, Qatar, Algeria, Russia, Australia and Canada. In recent years, there have been difficulties in the market as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, planned maintenance shutdowns and disruptions in capture, refining and storage.

This shortage has repercussions on research and technological development, causing processes to stall for months or even years. This crisis occurred on many fronts in Brazil, including the maintenance of medical equipment.

Like Helium gas is not considered a renewable resource; This valuable resource is under constant analysis to improve refining processes.more effective strategies for their storage, transportation and use. In some laboratories, some equipment can “recycle” used helium and recapture dispersed gas.

But there is a fallback for some of these problems. Other gases in the periodic table, such as argon and xenon, can mimic the functions of helium, with some caveats such as hyper-reactivity, interaction with other elements, and cannot be cooled as well as helium.

Then take care of this gas (we will not reveal the brands, but you know which one it is), which is steel wool, which has a thousand and one uses from the periodic table. If you liked the content, share the article on your social networks. Even lithium!