Get ready to explore the amazing world of this special gas that makes balloons float and helps deep-sea divers stay safe. We’ll learn how helium was discovered, why it’s used in balloons, and even how it makes your voice sound funny!

1. Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe.

Helium is a really cool gas that’s found all over space, like in stars and galaxies!

It’s super special because it’s the second most common thing out there, making up about 25% of everything in the universe! But here on Earth, it’s a bit harder to find.

Even though it’s everywhere in space, we don’t have as much of it here, which makes it kind of rare. Still, knowing that it’s all over the universe is pretty amazing, right?

2. Helium is lighter than air.

One of the coolest things about helium is that it’s lighter than the air we breathe.

That’s why when you fill a balloon with helium, it floats up into the sky!

3. Helium is non-toxic and safe to breathe.

Unlike some other gases, helium is totally safe to breathe in small amounts.

That’s why it’s often used to fill balloons and in medical procedures like MRI scanners.

4. Helium was discovered on the Sun before it was found on Earth.

Scientists first detected helium on the Sun in 1868, but it wasn’t until 1895 that it was discovered here on Earth.

5. Helium is used to cool things down.

Helium is super cold, which makes it perfect for cooling things down.

It’s often used to keep things like MRI machines and rocket engines from overheating.

6. Helium doesn’t burn.

Unlike some other gases, helium is non-flammable, which means it doesn’t catch fire.

This property makes it safe to use in a variety of applications where fire risk is a concern.

7. Helium is used in deep-sea diving.

Deep-sea divers use a special gas mixture containing helium to avoid getting “the bends” when they return to the surface after diving underwater for a long time.

This mixture helps prevent the formation of bubbles in their blood caused by rapid pressure changes.

Helium, being less absorbable than other gases, plays a key role in keeping divers safe as they resurface, ensuring they can explore the depths of the ocean without risking their health.

8. Helium makes your voice sound funny!

When you breathe in helium from a balloon, it changes the sound of your voice.

That’s because helium is lighter than air and makes the sound waves travel faster!

9. Helium is formed in stars.

Helium is created through nuclear fusion in stars, where hydrogen atoms smash together to form helium.

So, every time you see a star twinkling in the sky, you’re looking at a helium factory!

10. Helium is a non-renewable resource.

While helium is abundant in the universe, it’s not easy to capture here on Earth.

Once we use up the helium that’s stored underground, it’s gone for good, which is why it’s important to use it wisely.