Helium Gas Formula with Solved Examples

Helium Gas Formula

Natural gas produces helium gas, non-toxic and non-combustible. Helium gas was discovered for the first time in the sun. In the medical field, helium is commonly used to treat respiratory problems.

Helium is a non-toxic and non-combustible substance. This element is represented by the letter He, the chemical formula for Helium gas. Its atomic number is 2. It is an inert gas and is the first noble gas in the periodic table. This colourless, tasteless monatomic gas has no odour or flavour. Helium is the second lightest and most common element in the universe, behind hydrogen.

Properties:

Structural Formula:

The hexagonal close packed crystal structure of helium gas is unique. It is a noble gas from group 18, period 1, s block. It comes from the Greek word helios, which means “sun.” When exposed to an electric field, it turns red-orange. Helium is the lightest monatomic noble gas known in nature.

Helium does not produce any chemical compounds in normal conditions due to its inert nature.

However, it does form specific compounds under certain pressure and temperature conditions, such as Helium oxide. HeO is the chemical formula for helium oxide. It’s frequently mixed with hydrogen to make water and helium gas or with carbon to make carbon dioxide. 

Helium is a very important gas in the universe, with extensive applications in various fields. Pupils must understand the chemical characteristics of the substance.

Solved Examples: 

1. What happens when Helium reacts with water?

When Helium comes in contact with water, no reaction takes place. However, it dissolves a small amount of up to 8.61 cm3kg-1 at 20°C (293K.)

1. What happens when Helium is heated?

When Helium is heated, its molecules expand. Helium is already less dense than air and on heating, it behaves like normal gas and expands.