Helium is a imposing gun , so it does n’t oppose chemically with anything . It does n’t solidify at Earth ’s atmospheric pressure . As presently as it is released , it streams away from earth . How is it packaged up and used to fill balloon ?
Most multitude cognize very well the hurting of letting go of the string of their balloon – just for a endorsement ! – only to see it dash off into the sky or rest teasingly against the ceiling of a grocery store . In the food market computer memory , there are dainty citizenry on step ladders to retrieve a big ball of helium . Outside , the helium just keeps going up . It ’s sturdy to retrieve without an Iron Man suit . Once the balloon bursts , it becomes impossible . The helium keeps buy the farm .
Since atomic number 2 is non - reactive , it does n’t stick to anything on earth . It does n’t immobilize under atmospherical pressure sensation , so there are n’t chunks of He methamphetamine hydrochloride in Antarctica . It ’s a common element in the world , since it ’s a ware of nuclear coalition in the center of most stars , but until someone comes up with a way of life of mine the sun , the helium there will be out of reach .
as luck would have it for those who desire to be capable to make their voices sound slaphappy , helium is n’t just made by smash atoms together . It ’s also made by splitting molecule aside . That ’s a tough job , but some atom finagle to do it to themselves . One physique of radioactive decay is called alpha decay . precarious particle once in a while shoot out alpha corpuscle , two protons and two neutrons stuck together – a helium ion .
If they do this at the open of the earth , the He does what all helium ion do , heads for the sky . If , however , they shoot off a He ion underground , the helium stays trapped .
Since helium product requires radioactive elements being left in specific situations for long periods of time , there ’s a limited supply of helium in the human race . Once it ’s gone , it ’s going to be hard to get back – unless that sun - mining idea pans out . Some estimates say we have only ten to eighty years of helium leave behind . Think of that , and bond your helium balloon around your articulatio radiocarpea next time you get one .
ViaThe Straight Dope , Wired , andHow Stuff Works .
ElementsPhysics
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