Helium Works Against Gravity

Helium, one of the chemical elements that is located second in the periodic table, has such unique facts that probably will blow your mind. As we know, all creatures that exist on this earth need gravity to keep their bodies grounded. But did you know that helium works against gravity?

Actually, the answer is simple. Because Helium is light, very light. It's the second lightest element on the periodic table. With each Helium atom only containing 2 protons. Helium atoms are individual, they prefer to keep distance between one another. Unlike the other element atoms, for example, Oxygen, preferred to be paired with each other. But if you want a further explanation about why Helium works against gravity, let’s figure it out together. 

Do you remember the Archimedes Principle? Okay, let's recall what Archimedes Principle is. Archimedes Principle states that a body immersed in a fluid experiences an upthrust equal to the weight of the fluid displaced, and this is fundamental to the equilibrium of a body floating in still water. A body floating freely in still water experiences a downward force acting on it due to gravity. The common thread about this principle tells how buoyant style and lifting force works. So, we can tell a logical explanation about the cause of why the object is floating, flying or sinking. Therefore, we can use this principle to explain about a helium balloon that floats in the air. 

Helium balloons that float in the air have at least two forces that work at the same time. The first one is the Gravitational Force. Gravitational Force occurs between each and every object with mass. Second is the Lifting Force. Lifting Force is a fluid flowing around an object that exerts a force on it. An object can be lifted up because the carrying force is greater than the mass. An air balloon that is filled with helium on the top can float in the air because the lifting force is bigger than the gravitational force. Air is heavier than an equal volume of Helium. Simply, the Helium balloon is pushed upwards by buoyancy force, and pulled downwards because of its weight. 

So we can conclude that a flying helium balloon has a force direction that is opposite to the lift force. The gravitational force and the opposite force are smaller than the lift force. 

This unique fact is just one among many, other unique and interesting facts about Helium. Who would have thought that such a small and light element contains a lot of mystery?

Source : geniuspremiumtuition.com

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