Why Is Helium Used in Balloons?
Helium balloons are a common sight at birthday parties, graduations, weddings and all kinds of celebrations. They're available in many shapes, sizes and colors. Some are custom-printed for such special occasions as Valentine's Day or a 50th birthday. Helium is a non-toxic, non-combustible gas that's lighter than air, so balloons filled with it will float, adding to the party atmosphere. Helium tanks are widely available for rental at party shops, florists and toy stores. Does this Spark an idea?
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Safety
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Helium is a member of an elemental group called the noble gases, which also includes neon and argon. They don't react chemically, they don't burn and they're non-poisonous. This makes them safe if the balloon should burst or leak. Hydrogen, the other lighter-than-air gas that was used to float balloons, is flammable and may explode if sparked in air. Though the tanks containing helium are under very high pressure, they are all equipped with regulators to make their use safe and simple.
Sizes
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Helium balloons range in size from a few inches to over sixty feet. Despite their size, the largest ones still float. They can take nearly any shape; as long as the internal pressure is high enough, the helium will fill out complex surfaces.
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Availability
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Unlike other gases, helium can't be synthesized or extracted from the air. It's a product of natural radioactive decay deep in the Earth. Helium is found along with methane (natural) gas in underground pockets. The U.S. has some of the largest natural deposits of helium, though it's also been found in Russia, Poland and Algeria.
History
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Helium was first discovered in 1868--not on Earth, but from the analysis of light from the Sun. It was found to have large amounts of a previously unknown element. Helium was named after helios, the Greek word for the Sun.
When oil prospectors found large helium reserves in the U.S. in the early 20th century, people found uses for it, including dirigibles and balloons. Toy balloons had been around for decades before that, but were filled with air, hydrogen, or other gases.
Cost
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The price of helium has been going up steadily; it's 32% more expensive in 2009 than it was in 1998. Demand has been outpacing supply, and the supply is relatively fixed. Though it's still inexpensive enough to use for party balloons, prices are subject to change.
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References
- Photo Credit creativecommons.org
