Helium
By ISOBEL CARRUTHERS
Helium
The abbreviation for Helium is 'He'
More about Helium
Helium is it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, monatomic gas. Helium has the lowest melting point and boiling point of the elements, so it only exists as a gas except under extreme conditions. Helium is the second-lightest element
The discovery of Helium
Helium was named by Norman Lockyer, who discovered it while observing a solar eclipse. He named it after Helios, the Greek god of the Sun. It matches its abbreviation. It was discovered in 1895 and is used in balloons and for deep sea diving.
What does it look like?
Helium cannot been seen. It is only able to be seen if you add something to it or put it in a balloon then you can see the effect of it. You cannot smell or taste it either.
What is like at room temperature?
Helium still can not been seen at room temperature though you can see the effect it has on things for example when you put helium in balloons in rises. Helium's freezing point is -272.0 °C
Why is it good and would it be bad if we lost it ?
We use helium in many different things including deep sea diving and for helium balloons to make them rise and stay in the air. Without Helium we would not be able to make our balloons float, all balloons in the world would be on the ground all the time without Helium.
Unusual Facts
Helium is one of only two natural elements that has never been observed bonding to another element in a compound.
Helium was discovered in the Sun’s atmosphere before it was found on Earth.