Entity: HELIUM
Helium is a chemical element known for its lightness, colorlessness, and lack of odor. It is commonly used for inflating airships and balloons, as a coolant for superconductors, and as an inert gas in various applications.
HELIUM
Etymology
The word 'helium' is derived from the Greek word 'helios,' meaning sun, as it was first discovered in the spectrum of the sun.
Definition
Helium is a chemical element of the noble gas group with atomic number 2. It is a very light, colorless, and odorless gas that is commonly found in natural gases.
Historical Context
Helium was first discovered in 1868 by French astronomer Jules Janssen during a solar eclipse. It was later isolated on Earth in 1895 by Sir William Ramsay and independently by Per Teodor Cleve.
Cultural Significance
Helium is widely known for its use in inflating airships and balloons, as well as in various scientific and industrial applications. It is also used in cryogenics and as a coolant for superconductors.
Related Concepts
Helium is part of the noble gas group in the periodic table and is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen. It is known for its low boiling point and is the most difficult gas to liquefy.
See Also
A chemical element of the noble gas group with atomic number 2, found in natural gases, and used for inflating airships and balloons, as a coolant for superconductors, and as an inert component.