Difference between revisions of "Helium"
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| − | '''Helium''' is a monoatomic gaseous chemical element with symbol '''He''' and atomic number 2. Although its position in the periodic table is still debated, it is generally considered to be part of the [[noble gas]] group in the periodic table. As its boiling and melting points are extremely close to absolute zero, helium presents several rare and unique properties extremely useful in physics, such as superfluidity. | + | '''Helium''' is a monoatomic gaseous chemical element with symbol '''He''' and atomic number 2. Although its position in the periodic table is still debated, it is generally considered to be part of the [[noble gas]] group in the periodic table. |
| + | |||
| + | As its boiling and melting points are extremely close to absolute zero, helium presents several rare and unique properties extremely useful in physics, such as superfluidity. | ||
==Properties== | ==Properties== | ||
===Chemical=== | ===Chemical=== | ||
| − | Helium is the most inert chemical and does not react with any chemical element or compound at any temperature. Van der Waals compounds and excimers of helium however can be formed at cryogenic temperatures, such as LiHe, He<sub>2</sub>, HeNe, etc. Helium hydride ion can be formed through the radioactive decay of tritium. Helium has also been put inside the hollow carbon cage molecules (fullerenes) by heating under high pressure. These structures are considered to be the smallest helium balloons. | + | Helium is the most inert chemical and does not react with any chemical element or compound at any temperature. Van der Waals compounds and excimers of helium however can be formed at cryogenic temperatures, such as LiHe, He<sub>2</sub>, HeNe, etc. Helium hydride ion can be formed through the radioactive decay of tritium. This helionium cation HeH+ is also known from physics; in chemistry, it is counted among the strongest acids, but does not exist for any measurable time for chemical reactions, instantly protonating anything it comes in contact with. Helium has also been put inside the hollow carbon cage molecules (fullerenes) by heating under high pressure. These structures are considered to be the smallest helium balloons. |
None of these however have any importance to amateur chemistry as they require expensive equipment to investigate. | None of these however have any importance to amateur chemistry as they require expensive equipment to investigate. | ||
===Physical=== | ===Physical=== | ||
| − | Helium is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic inert gas, with | + | Helium is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic inert gas,with melting point of 4.222 K (−268.928 °C, −452.070 °F) and melting point of 0.95 K(-268.928 °C, −452.070 °F). It can only become solid at pressures higher than 25 atm, due to the high zero point energy of its atomic motions. It has a density of 0.1786 g/L at 0 °C and standard pressure, making it twice as dense as hydrogen. Being lighter than air, it will quickly rise. |
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
| − | Helium is sold in compressed gas cylinders, which can be purchased from | + | Helium is sold in compressed gas cylinders, which can be purchased from welding supply places. "Balloon gas" is typically a mixture of helium and air. |
==Isolation== | ==Isolation== | ||
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*Funny voice | *Funny voice | ||
*Air-free atmosphere | *Air-free atmosphere | ||
| − | *Demonstration of superconductivity of various chemical elements and compounds | + | *Demonstration of superconductivity of various chemical elements and compounds (cryogenic liquid helium) |
==Handling== | ==Handling== | ||
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Helium cylinders must be stored away from any heat source and inspected periodically. | Helium cylinders must be stored away from any heat source and inspected periodically. | ||
| − | Helium dewars should be stored similar. | + | Helium dewars should be stored similar. Liquid helium can only be kept for a few months. |
===Disposal=== | ===Disposal=== | ||
| − | Helium can be safely released in air. | + | Helium can be safely released in air, though this is a waste of good helium. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
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===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ||
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=30256 Temporarily Sealing He in Ampoule] | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=30256 Temporarily Sealing He in Ampoule] | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=157018 He vs H] | ||
[[Category:Elements]] | [[Category:Elements]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:34, 13 February 2021
| General properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name, symbol | Helium, He | ||||
| Appearance | colorless gas (gaseous phase); colorless liquid or superfluid (liquid phase); exhibits a red-orange glow when placed in a high-voltage electric field | ||||
| Helium in the periodic table | |||||
| |||||
| Atomic number | 2 | ||||
| Standard atomic weight (Ar) | 4.002602(2) | ||||
| Group, block | Noble gasses; s-block | ||||
| Period | period 1 | ||||
| Electron configuration | 1s2 | ||||
per shell | 2 | ||||
| Physical properties | |||||
| Colorless | |||||
| Phase | Gas | ||||
| Melting point | 0.95 K (−272.20 °C, −457.96 °F) (at 2.5 MPa) | ||||
| Boiling point | 4.222 K (−268.928 °C, −452.07 °F) | ||||
| Density at (0 °C and 101.325 kPa) | 0.1786 g/L | ||||
| when liquid, at | 0.145 g/cm3 (m.p.) | ||||
| when liquid, at | 0.125 g/cm3 (b.p.) | ||||
| Triple point | 2.177 K, 5.043 kPa | ||||
| Heat of fusion | 0.0138 kJ/mol | ||||
| Heat of | 0.0829 kJ/mol | ||||
| Molar heat capacity | 20.78 J/(mol·K) | ||||
| pressure | |||||
| Atomic properties | |||||
| Oxidation states | 0 | ||||
| Electronegativity | Pauling scale: No data | ||||
| energies |
1st: 2372.3 kJ/mol 2nd: 5250.5 kJ/mol | ||||
| Covalent radius | 28 pm | ||||
| Van der Waals radius | 140 pm | ||||
| Miscellanea | |||||
| Crystal structure | | ||||
| Speed of sound | 972 m/s | ||||
| Thermal conductivity |
0.1513 W/(m·K) ∞ W/(m·K) (superfluid, < 2.2 K) | ||||
| Magnetic ordering | Diamagnetic | ||||
| CAS Registry Number | 7440-59-7 | ||||
| History | |||||
| Naming | after Helios, Greek god of the Sun | ||||
| Discovery | Pierre Janssen, Norman Lockyer (1868) | ||||
| First isolation | William Ramsay, Per Teodor Cleve, Abraham Langlet (1895) | ||||
Helium is a monoatomic gaseous chemical element with symbol He and atomic number 2. Although its position in the periodic table is still debated, it is generally considered to be part of the noble gas group in the periodic table.
As its boiling and melting points are extremely close to absolute zero, helium presents several rare and unique properties extremely useful in physics, such as superfluidity.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Helium is the most inert chemical and does not react with any chemical element or compound at any temperature. Van der Waals compounds and excimers of helium however can be formed at cryogenic temperatures, such as LiHe, He2, HeNe, etc. Helium hydride ion can be formed through the radioactive decay of tritium. This helionium cation HeH+ is also known from physics; in chemistry, it is counted among the strongest acids, but does not exist for any measurable time for chemical reactions, instantly protonating anything it comes in contact with. Helium has also been put inside the hollow carbon cage molecules (fullerenes) by heating under high pressure. These structures are considered to be the smallest helium balloons.
None of these however have any importance to amateur chemistry as they require expensive equipment to investigate.
Physical
Helium is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic inert gas,with melting point of 4.222 K (−268.928 °C, −452.070 °F) and melting point of 0.95 K(-268.928 °C, −452.070 °F). It can only become solid at pressures higher than 25 atm, due to the high zero point energy of its atomic motions. It has a density of 0.1786 g/L at 0 °C and standard pressure, making it twice as dense as hydrogen. Being lighter than air, it will quickly rise.
Availability
Helium is sold in compressed gas cylinders, which can be purchased from welding supply places. "Balloon gas" is typically a mixture of helium and air.
Isolation
Industrially, helium is isolated from the fractional distillation of natural gas, but due to helium's properties, this process is not feasible for the amateur chemist.
Projects
- Helium balloons
- Funny voice
- Air-free atmosphere
- Demonstration of superconductivity of various chemical elements and compounds (cryogenic liquid helium)
Handling
Safety
Helium gas in non-toxic, but if inhaled in large quantities it may replace the oxygen from lungs, leading to asphyxiation.
Liquid helium may cause frostbites on contact with bare skin.
Storage
Helium cylinders must be stored away from any heat source and inspected periodically.
Helium dewars should be stored similar. Liquid helium can only be kept for a few months.
Disposal
Helium can be safely released in air, though this is a waste of good helium.
