Day 2: Interesting Facts About Helium
Atomic Symbol: He; Atomic Number: 2; Atomic Mass: 4.00260

1. Helium is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert monatomic chemical element that is also nonflammable and has the lowest melting point of all of the elements.
2. Helium was first detected during a solar eclipse in 1868 as a bright yellow line in the spectrum of the chromosphere of the Sun, by French astronomer Pierre Janssen . It was discovered by Sir William Ramsey in 1895.
3. Helium is less dense than atmospheric air which changes the timbre of ones voice when inhaled.
4. Common uses for Helium include: being a component of artificial atmospheres and laser media, refrigerant, lifting gas for balloons and airships, superfluid in cryogenic research, and reducing the effects of narcosis during deep sea diving.

Image: Vial of glowing ultrapure Helium.