Helium: More Than Balloons and Blimps
Properties of Helium
- Atomic Mass: Helium has an atomic mass of approximately 4.002 atomic mass units.
- Density: At standard temperature and pressure, helium has a density of 0.1786 g/L.
- Appearance: colourless gas.
- Melting Point: Helium melts at a chilly 0.95 K.
- Boiling Point: Its boiling point is 4.22 K.
- Critical Point: The critical point occurs at 5.1953 K.
- Triple Point: Helium’s triple point is at 2.177 K.
- Heat of Fusion: The heat of fusion for helium is 0.0138 kJ/mol.
- Heat of Vaporization: It has a heat of vaporization of 0.0829 kJ/mol.
- Molar Heat Capacity: The molar heat capacity is 20.78 J/(mol·K).
- Oxidation State: Helium remains in the oxidation state of 0.
- Electronic Configuration: Its electronic configuration is 1s².
Applications of Helium
➤ Helium’s buoyancy makes it perfect for inflating balloons and airships.
➤ Unlike hydrogen, which is flammable, helium is non-flammable and safe for use in these applications.
➤ Helium is used in the fuel storage tanks of spacecraft. Its non-flammability ensures safety during launches.
➤ It serves as an ullage medium, maintaining pressure in fuel tanks, especially those containing liquid hydrogen.
The Airlander 10 airship from Hybrid Air Vehicles. Photo: HAV
➤ Helium plays a crucial role in superconducting magnets used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines.
➤ Helium-cooled cryogenic systems enhance medical research and diagnostics.
➤ Helium is essential for cooling optical fibres during the manufacturing process.
➤ It ensures efficient data transmission in high-speed communication networks.
➤ Scientists utilize helium to cool superconducting materials, enabling their operation at ultra-low temperatures.
➤ Superconductors find applications in energy transmission and medical devices.
➤ Helium-oxygen mixtures (heliox) enable deep-sea divers to breathe at great depths.
➤ Helium’s low density minimizes the risk of nitrogen narcosis, especially in deep-sea divers.
➤ Helium shields the welding arc, preventing oxidation and ensuring clean welds.
➤ It’s commonly used in TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding.
➤ Helium cools nuclear reactors, maintaining stable operating conditions.
➤ It prevents overheating and ensures safety.
➤ Helium’s unique properties make it valuable for cryogenics, spectroscopy, and particle physics experiments.
➤ Beyond party balloons, helium lifts scientific instruments and weather-monitoring devices.
