Why is helium used to fill balloons?

Answer 1

It is a matter of mass, weight, and density. A balloon filled with normal air will not rise. Air will rise in water, because it is less dense (bubbles). Helium on the other hand is lighter than air, so it too will rise when 'submerged' in it. The actual process is that the heavier air surrounding a helium-filled balloon will "displace it" and force it upward.

Hydrogen is also less dense than air, but it is flammable. Helium is not flammable, has no smell or taste, and is not poisonous. So because it is the second lightest element, and the second most plentiful in the world (found in natural gas), it's a natural fit.

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However, consider that while it may seem fun to have balloons that go up on a string, if they escape, then eventually they pop and it is likely that the burst rubber will fall into the sea. In the sea they are mistaken for food by turtles and escaped balloons cause much harm.

Also being unreactive as an element and very light, most of the helium on earth has gone to the top of the atmosphere and escaped into space. The only helium we have is found as a byproduct of radioactive decay within the Earth. The element has very important uses in industry and science and wasting it on balloons is not a sensible thing to do. There is only a finite amount of helium available to us at any given time.

Answer 2

I would like to explain that air balloons are meant to float in air, which requires that a very light gas should be used. Of course, Hydrogen gas is the lightest gas, but it is extremely flammable and the disaster of the Hindenburg II airship showed that Hydrogen is, in fact, not a suitable gas for air balloons. So, the second lightest gas, Helium, is used. It is still very light, and it is an unreactive(inert) gas, which makes air balloons a lot safer than if Hydrogen was used.

Answer 3

Pure helium and hydrogen are gases that are less dense than the nitrogen-oxygen mixture of ordinary air. As these elements are less dense (lighter-than-air), they can provide lift to a balloon by being displaced by air (being pushed upward). They will rise until they reach a level of the atmosphere where the air is of equal average density (given the weight of the balloon itself).

Helium, which is found mixed with methane in natural gas, is safer to use in balloons than hydrogen because it is non-flammable.

Some larger balloons use hot air, which similarly is less dense than the unheated air outside the balloon's envelope. If the air cools inside, the balloon will move lower, and back to the ground.

Answer 4

There are many uses for latex balloons. Most of these uses are for various pranks, such as filling said balloons with various slimy material, often ketchup, and throwing it at one's friend of choice. However, they can also be used to temporarily limit the flow of blood to a damaged limb, help a vehicle reach a gas station until it can be fixed, or, if it is a red balloon, be used as a marker in emergencies.

Answer 5

Balloons are used for birthday parties or regular parties, balloons are not used by doctors,artists,scientists,engineers.

Answer 6

Helium is lighter than air. So helium is used in helium balloons as these balloons will easily float in air

Answer 7

- meteorological measurements

- tourism and adventures

- Photography from the air

- spying

- extreme sport