Question

Give the uses of helium.

Answer 1

1. A helium and oxygen mixture is used by divers in place of an air oxygen mixture. This prevents the painful, dangerous condition called bends.
2. Helium is used to provide an inert atmosphere in the electric arc welding of metals
3. Helium has the lowest boiling point, hence it is used in cryogenics (low-temperature science).
4. It is much less dense than air and is hence used for filling air balloons.

Answer 2

1. A mixture of helium (85%) and oxygen (15%) is used for filling balloons.
2. A mixture of helium and oxygen is also used for respiration by scuba divers.
3. Helium is used in producing an inert atmosphere in metallurgy and welding of metals.
4. Liquid helium is used in producing the low temperatures required for research.
5. Helium is also used in producing lasers in low-temperature gas thermometry.
6. It is used in magnetic resonance imaging.
7. It is used as a shielding gas for arc welding.
8. It is used in supersonic wind tunnels.
9. Helium nucleus is used as a bombarding particle for the disintegration of atoms.