{"id":4329,"date":"2024-11-08T08:09:29","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T23:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=4329"},"modified":"2024-11-08T08:09:31","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T23:09:31","slug":"elements-helium-lets-learn-more-about-atomic-number-2-he-basic-knowledge-of-chemistry-useful-in-society","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agus.co.jp\/en\/?p=4329","title":{"rendered":"Elements [Helium] Let’s learn more about atomic number 2, He! Basic knowledge of chemistry useful in society"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Elements<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Helium gas is used in balloons sold at festivals and in joke items that change voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will explain the properties and characteristics of helium, as well as how it is used in society and its history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is light reading because it uses examples of things that are familiar and easy to imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Properties and characteristics of helium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Helium is lighter than air and nonflammable. And it is the second most abundant element in the universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is an extremely rare element in our planet, present in only about 0.0005% of the Earth’s atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might think, “If it’s so rare, why am I breathing helium gas and changing my voice only for fun?” but the truth is that it just can’t be made from air; it can be separated and refined from natural gas, so it doesn’t run out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helium also has the property of liquefying only at fairly low temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how is helium used in society?
Let’s look at this with some actual examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How helium is used in society<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Helium, which is lighter than air and only liquefies at fairly low temperatures (liquefies at about -296\u00b0C), is used in various situations such as ‘flying balloons’, MRI and rocket launches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Helium is useful for \u2018Flying balloons\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you inflate an ordinary balloon made of rubber by yourself, it will not fly, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, balloons sold at festivals float in and fly up into the sky when the string is released.
This is because it is filled with helium, which has the property of being lighter than air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helium gas raises the voice for the same reason: helium, which is lighter than air, transmits sound faster than air, so the frequency of sound resonating in the vocal tract is higher and the voice sounds higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Helium is useful for \u2018MRI\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MRI used for medical examinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MRL uses a powerful magnetic field to take images of the human body as if it were sliced in a circle, and helium is essential for this machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super-electric electromagnets are used to obtain a strong magnetic field, and they heat up with continued use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At temperatures above a certain level, the current turns into heat and cannot be filmed. So we use helium’s ability to liquefy only at fairly low temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, liquefied helium (approx. -269\u00b0C) is used to keep it cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Helium is useful for \u2018Launching rockets\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are used to fuel rockets.
So what is helium used for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is used as a gas to deliver liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
Liquid hydrogen is -253\u00b0C and cannot be pushed out that way with ordinary liquids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, helium, which does not liquefy down to -269\u00b0C, can be used to pressurize and feed this liquid hydrogen. Moreover, they are not easily mixed with oxygen and hydrogen, so they only serve to push them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following article explains why liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are used.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/i>Read in conjunction with<\/span>