If gasses were people, the most anti-social ones would be the noble gasses. Their name is derived from the fact that they dislike other elements and refuse to form permanent bonds.
First among these is helium, which is the second-most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen.
Helium is extremely stable in isolation and, when forced to bond with other elements, the relationship soon breaks down.
You could say the reason is that nature is lazy because it always seeks the lowest energy state and, for helium that's when it's un-bonded.
It will briefly bond with elements such as tungsten, iodine and fluorine in what's called an 'excimer'. The more evocative, long form of the name - 'excited dimer' hints that helium might indulge in a brief fling, but is happier by itself.
While almost all helium was created in the unimaginable violence of the Big Bang, it's rare on Earth, comprising only 5.2 parts per million in the atmosphere. Perhaps it doesn't like it here, because free helium soon escapes into space.
Most helium on Earth is a product of radioactive decay and is extracted from natural gas, which contains as much as 7 per cent.
Helium reserves are mined mostly in the United States, with some also in Algeria, Russia, Poland and Qatar. In the US, most helium was stored in the National Helium Reserve, but since 2005 it has been sold off. It is expected to be largely depleted by 2021.
In earlier years, helium was simply 'gassed off' as a waste product. However since then, we've learned that it has unique properties that make it useful. Indeed, 'critical' might be a better word because liquid helium is used to cool the superconducting magnets in medical devices such as MRI machines. If you've ever needed an MRI scan, you'll appreciate how important these are.
It's also used as a protective atmosphere for arc welding and growing crystals to make silicon wafers.
Next time you see a party balloon, it might be interesting to ponder what we'll do when the helium is gone.
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