What is Helium?
Helium (He) is an element that is found all over the universe. It is the second most-abundant element in the universe! It is also the second lightest element in the universe. It is lighter than the air that we breathe, so it always escapes from Earth’s atmosphere. Helium is called a “Noble Gas”. This is because Helium can’t mix well with other elements. Scientists are predicting a Helium shortage in the next few years. They are brainstorming solutions to get more Helium.
What is Helium Used For?
Here are some things Helium is used for:
- In rockets to keep them from overheating
- Protecting the electrical systems from lighting (because Helium is very cold)
- High-speed internet (Helium is used to make the internet go faster)
- For Helium Balloons
- Weather balloons that capture information about the weather in the atmosphere
These are just a few examples of what Helium is used for. Scientists and researches are still finding new uses for it today.