Are your computers advanved then most computers (1 Comment)

SAVAGEONFLEEK

How does cancer affect the body?

Madilyn Zingre

How is science used in peoples every-day lives?

Kristein

do birds carry dieses

Salim

Does a chemical reaction happen when the sperm goes to the egg (sex question)

Madilyn Zingre

if a squirrel dies can it still carrier a diease

SAVAGEONFLEEK

do you study blood clotting on bats

the best likes bats

do you like bats

the best likes bats

why should i vote for you (1 Comment)

the best likes bats

what kind of stuff are the old people trying to remember

the best likes bats

what is the most advanced technology to date

457hemb33

(Weird question) What effects does puberty do on you?

Kristein

View all answered questions

Latest Comments

Zone News

Ask

ASK the scientists any questions you have about science.

Chat

CHAT with the scientists in a 30 minute long text chat booked by your teacher.

Vote

VOTE for your favourite scientist to win a £500 prize to spend on communicating more science.

About this zone

Helium Electron Shell

Helium Electron Shell by Greg Robson CC BY-SA 2.0

Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and is represented by the symbol “He”. It has two protons and two neutrons in its nucleus and two electrons in it’s outer shell.

It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-toxic gas and is one of the noble (or inert)  gases. This means it is highly unreactive as its outer electron shell is full. Its boiling and melting points are the lowest among the elements and it exists only as a gas except in extreme conditions. Next to hydrogen, it is the second most abundant element in the Universe. In our galaxy it accounts for 24% of the mass.

Stars and gas clouds

Stars and gas clouds
ESA/Hubble
CC BY 3.0

Helium Balloons

Helium Balloons
by omnibus
CC BY-SA 2.0

Helium is available in pressurized tanks and is nowadays used to fill balloons.  While it is heavier than hydrogen, it is far safer as helium does not burn.