HOME > Origin of Helium Name
Introduction
Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert monatomic gas that heads the noble gas series in the periodic table. It was first discovered in 1868 by French astronomer Jules Janssen and British astronomer Joseph Norman Lockyer. The name helium is derived from the Greek word helios, meaning sun, as it was first detected in the spectrum of the sun.
Discovery of Helium
In the mid-19th century, scientists were studying the spectrum of the sun and noticed a yellow line that did not correspond to any known element. In 1868, Janssen and Lockyer independently observed this line during a solar eclipse and realized that it was caused by a new element. They named it helium after the Greek word helios, meaning sun.
Properties of Helium
Helium is the second lightest element and is the second most abundant element in the observable universe, being present at about 24% of the total elemental mass, which is more than 12 times the mass of all the heavier elements combined. It is a noble gas and is therefore chemically inert under most conditions. It has the lowest boiling point of all the elements and is the only element that cannot be solidified by cooling under normal atmospheric pressure.
Uses of Helium
Helium has a number of important uses. It is used as a coolant for nuclear reactors and in cryogenics to cool materials to very low temperatures. It is also used in gas chromatography, as a lifting gas for balloons and airships, and in welding and cutting metals. Helium is also used in medical applications, such as MRI machines and respiratory treatments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the name helium is derived from the Greek word helios, meaning sun, as it was first detected in the spectrum of the sun. Helium is a noble gas and is therefore chemically inert under most conditions. It has a number of important uses, including as a coolant for nuclear reactors and in cryogenics to cool materials to very low temperatures. It is also used in gas chromatography, as a lifting gas for balloons and airships, and in welding and cutting metals. Helium is also used in medical applications, such as MRI machines and respiratory treatments.
