Helium - Periodic Table of Videos
TLDRThis video explores the intriguing history and properties of helium, the second element on the periodic table. Initially discovered through its spectral line in the Sun's eclipse, helium was later found on Earth in uranium minerals and natural gas. Its non-flammability made it ideal for observation balloons, leading to strategic production in the U.S. Helium's unique ability to form the coldest liquid and its role in superconductivity highlight its importance in modern technology, such as MRI machines. The video also delves into the challenges and spectacle of handling liquid helium, showcasing its fascinating applications and captivating viewers with its scientific journey.
Takeaways
- 🌌 Helium is the second element on the periodic table and makes up 35% of the universe but is rare on Earth.
- 🌞 Helium was first discovered through its spectral signature in the Sun during an 1868 eclipse, before the periodic table was proposed by Mendeleev.
- 💡 The bright yellow line in the Sun's spectrum is due to excited electrons in helium atoms, a phenomenon that can be replicated on Earth with a helium star.
- 🔍 Initially mistaken for sodium, the yellow spectral line led to the identification of helium as a new element, named after the Greek word 'helios'.
- 🏞️ Helium was discovered on Earth in the early 20th century in a uranium mineral called cleveite, and later in natural gas fields in the United States.
- ⚛️ Helium is associated with uranium and other radioactive materials because its nucleus, an alpha particle, is emitted during radioactive decay.
- 🎈 Helium was used in World War I for observation balloons because it does not burn like hydrogen, making it safer.
- 🇺🇸 The United States has a history of conserving helium for strategic defense purposes, with legislation to protect this valuable resource.
- 🚀 Helium's discovery in natural gas fields led to its use in commercial airships, following the Hindenburg disaster which highlighted the dangers of hydrogen.
- 🧊 Liquid helium is the coldest liquid possible, boiling at -269°C, and is used to cool materials for applications like superconductors in MRI machines.
- 🎈 While helium is used in balloons for parties, its industrial applications are more significant, including in the production of high-powered magnets for medical imaging.
Q & A
What percentage of the universe does helium make up?
-Helium makes up 35% of our universe.
Why is helium considered rare on Earth?
-Helium is rare on Earth because it is found in trace amounts in natural gas and is primarily produced through radioactive decay of heavier elements like uranium.
How was the existence of helium first indicated?
-The existence of helium was first indicated during an eclipse in 1868 when a very bright yellow line was noticed in the Sun's spectrum.
What is the significance of the yellow line in the Sun's spectrum?
-The yellow line in the Sun's spectrum is due to the electrons in the helium atom being excited, which was a clue to the presence of a new element.
Why was helium named after the Greek word 'helios'?
-Helium was named after the Greek word 'helios' because it was discovered in the Sun, which is associated with the Greek Sun god or the term for the Sun itself.
When was helium discovered on Earth?
-Helium was discovered on Earth at the beginning of the 20th century during the examination of a uranium mineral called cleveite.
Why is helium associated with uranium and other radioactive materials?
-Helium is associated with uranium and other radioactive materials because the helium nucleus, an alpha particle, is emitted during radioactive decay.
How did the discovery of helium in natural gas fields impact its use during World War I?
-The discovery of helium in natural gas fields led to its use in observation balloons during World War I because it does not burn like hydrogen, making it safer.
What is the boiling point of liquid helium?
-Liquid helium boils at minus 269 degrees centigrade, which is 4 degrees above absolute zero.
Why is liquid helium used to cool materials down to very low temperatures?
-Liquid helium is used to cool materials down to very low temperatures because it forms the coldest liquid that can be obtained, enabling the study and use of superconductors and other low-temperature phenomena.
How is liquid helium used in medical imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?
-Liquid helium is used in MRI to cool superconducting magnets, which require very high magnetic fields to function properly and produce detailed images of the body.
What is the practical use of the rugby football bladder in the context of handling liquid helium?
-The rugby football bladder is used to pressurize the helium and get it to come out of the storage vessel, such as a Dewar flask, when filling containers with liquid helium.
Why is it important to use a stainless steel thermos for liquid helium instead of a glass one?
-It is important to use a stainless steel thermos for liquid helium because helium can pass through glass, which would compromise the insulation properties of a glass thermos.
What is the significance of recycling helium gas in industrial applications?
-Recycling helium gas in industrial applications is significant because helium is a valuable and limited resource; recycling reduces waste and ensures cost efficiency.
What is the purpose of the large yellow balloon at the liquefaction plant?
-The large yellow balloon at the liquefaction plant is used for storing helium gas before it is liquefied, allowing for the measurement and management of gas volumes.
Outlines
🌌 Helium: Discovery and Properties
This paragraph delves into the discovery of helium, the second element on the periodic table, which constitutes 35% of the universe but is rare on Earth. Initially identified through the Sun's spectrum during an 1868 eclipse, helium was later found on Earth in uranium minerals and natural gas fields. Its association with uranium stems from the fact that helium nuclei, or alpha particles, are produced during radioactive decay. The paragraph also touches on the strategic importance of helium during World War I for observation balloons due to its non-flammable nature, and the subsequent legislation in the U.S. to conserve it for defense purposes.
🧪 Helium's Industrial and Scientific Uses
The second paragraph highlights helium's industrial and scientific applications. It discusses helium's lighter-than-air property, which makes it suitable for lifting balloons, contrasting it with hydrogen's greater lift due to its lighter molecular weight. The paragraph emphasizes helium's most significant modern use: as a coolant for superconductors, which are essential in creating powerful magnets for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The narrative includes a visit to a helium liquefaction plant, where the process of liquefying and storing helium is described, along with a demonstration of liquid helium's unique behavior when exposed to air.
🎈 Helium's Recreational and Commercial Aspects
The final paragraph touches on the recreational and commercial aspects of helium, including its use in party balloons and the large-scale storage and measurement of helium gas in industrial settings. It mentions the upcoming release of additional videos on helium and invites viewers to watch the complete series on all elements of the periodic table. The paragraph also promotes the creators' Patreon page, where supporters can contribute and even 'adopt an element,' including helium, while providing a link to other chemistry-related videos.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Helium
💡Periodic Table
💡Spectrum
💡Electron Excitation
💡Alpha Particles
💡Superconductors
💡Liquefaction
💡Dewar Flask
💡Helium Balloons
💡Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
💡Strategic Material
Highlights
Helium is the second element on the periodic table and makes up 35% of the universe.
Helium is rare on Earth and was the first element discovered outside our planet.
Helium's existence was first indicated during a solar eclipse in 1868 through a bright yellow spectral line.
The yellow line in the Sun's spectrum is due to excited electrons in helium atoms.
A glass star filled with helium gas can emit light when excited by high voltage.
Initially mistaken for sodium, the yellow spectral line was later identified as helium.
Helium was named after the Greek word 'helios', meaning Sun, due to its discovery on the Sun.
Helium was discovered on Earth in the early 20th century in a uranium mineral called cleveite.
Helium is associated with uranium and other radioactive materials due to its nucleus composition.
Alpha particles emitted during radioactive decay can become helium atoms, accumulating in gas fields over time.
All of the world's helium is from radioactive decay, except for a small amount from hydrogen bomb detonations.
Helium was used in observation balloons during World War I for its non-flammable properties.
The United States has a history of legislation to conserve helium for strategic defense purposes.
Helium's atomic weight is four times that of a hydrogen atom, affecting its lift capabilities in balloons.
Liquid helium is the coldest liquid, boiling at minus 269 degrees Celsius, and is used to cool superconductors.
Helium is crucial for magnetic resonance imaging due to its ability to create high magnetic fields.
The process of liquefying helium involves pressurizing it using the bladder of a rugby football.
Liquid helium can create fog by freezing water vapor and even liquefy oxygen or nitrogen in the air.
Helium balloons at parties are a small-scale use of a gas that has significant industrial and scientific applications.
Liquefaction plants recycle helium gas to minimize loss and manage costs for customers.
A sequel video about helium is planned to cover additional topics not included in the current video.
Transcripts
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