Helium (He) Fun Facts

2 He
Superhero Identity

"The Escapist, a lighter-than-air hero who can lift anything and always makes a high-pitched exit."

The true essence of Helium (He) on the molecular frontier.

Appearance

A colorless, odorless, tasteless inert gas.

Everyday Connection

The floating balloons at a birthday party.

In Pop Culture

The element that gives characters a squeaky voice in cartoons.

Did You Know?

1

It was first discovered not on Earth, but by observing the Sun's spectrum during a solar eclipse in 1868.

2

It is the only element that cannot be solidified by cooling it at normal atmospheric pressure; it requires immense pressure to freeze.

3

The high-pitched "chipmunk" voice effect from inhaling helium is because the speed of sound is nearly three times faster in helium than in air.

4

Helium is a non-renewable resource on Earth, formed by the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium deep underground.

5

Liquid helium is one of the coldest substances on Earth, used to cool the superconducting magnets in MRI machines.