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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.

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8y ago

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