What is the chemical symbol for helium?

What is the chemical symbol for helium?

The chemical symbol for helium is He. It is an element with atomic number 2, making it the second element on the periodic table. Helium is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It has the lowest boiling and melting points among all the elements listed on the periodic table.

Interestingly, helium was not initially discovered on Earth but rather on the sun. Scientists in the 19th century noticed a yellow line in the sun's spectrum and were intrigued by this unknown element. English astronomer Norman Lockyer named it helium. The search for helium on our planet continued until 1895 when Scottish chemist William Ramsay successfully identified it during a gas experiment.

In modern times, helium is produced in laboratories and finds wide-ranging applications. One common use of helium is in inflating balloons and blimps. Helium, along with neon, does not readily combine with other elements to form compounds. These two elements have never been observed as part of a compound.

helium wiki

Helium is an essential element with the chemical symbol He and atomic number 2. It was named after the Greek Titan Helios, who personified the Sun. Its electrons are arranged in a stable configuration, with two electrons in its outer shell. Helium belongs to the group of elements known as noble gases, which occupy the far-right column of the periodic table.

The term "noble" was historically associated with these gases due to their perceived aristocratic nature, as only privileged individuals could afford objects made from noble metals. However, the true distinction lies in their chemical behavior. Noble gases, including helium, neon, and argon, have stable electron configurations that do not easily react with other elements or form compounds. They prefer to remain independent and unreactive.

Helium, with its cloud-like electron arrangement, stays in its own realm, much like the noble gases as a whole. They do not readily combine with other gases or give up their electrons. This characteristic sets them apart and allows them to exist in a separate state. While the etymology behind the term "noble gases" may be intriguing, it is their unique chemical properties that define them.