Helium, the second lightest and second most abundant element in the visible universe, has been consistently evolving since its initial discovery over 150 years ago. Its evolution story is not only interesting, but also enlightening as this element has played a significant role in numerous industries and scientific advancements, and continues to be fundamental in new and developing discoveries or technologies.
The early stages of helium’s evolution began when it was first detected as an unknown yellow spectral line signature in sunlight, during a solar eclipse in 1868. The credit for this discovery belongs to French astronomer Pierre Janssen, who intriguingly named it after the sun god of Greek mythology, Helios. Arguably the most fascinating aspect of this discovery was that helium was identified in the sun before it was found on earth; it was 27 years later that helium was successfully extracted from a natural gas source in 1895 by Sir William Ramsay, a Scottish chemist.
The evolution of helium continued into the 20th century with an understanding of its role in nuclear fusion within stars. This established helium’s place outside the domain of merely an inert, mono-atomic gas to a pivotal player in the energy economy of the universe. Astrophysicists in the 1930s theorized and later observed that stars, including our sun, are chiefly powered by the conversion of hydrogen atoms into helium in a process known as nuclear fusion – a concept at the heart of astrophysics and stellar evolution.
Its critical role in nuclear fusion and power prompted further studies of helium. It was found to exist in two naturally occurring isotopes, helium-3 and helium-4, and while both are stable, helium-4 is known to be abundantly more common. The isotope helium-3, however, remains of particular interest because of its potential use in nuclear fusion power generation, a much-touted future energy source.
Beyond astrophysics, helium has also evolved into an indispensable element in various industries. In medicine, its super-cooling capability is crucial for the operation of MRI scanners. In the tech industry, it is used in the manufacture of semiconductors and fiber optics. It’s also used to inflate spacecraft, airships, and balloons due to its lighter-than-air characteristic.
Uniquely, helium does not become solid, even under intense pressure, which makes it a pivotal part of scientific research. It has enabled scientists to study quantum mechanical effects at exceptionally low temperatures as it remains liquid down to absolute zero and can provide the necessary environment for such investigations.
Moreover, helium’s lighter-than-air property has found application in leak detection. Since helium atoms are small and can easily slip through leaks, it is used to test the integrity of seals in various systems, such as air conditioning systems, tanks, and pipelines.
Indeed, the evolution of helium is not confined to these milestones. Researchers continuously explore new and potential uses of helium. For example, considering its potential role as a future energy source, researchers are actively investigating helium-3 retrieval from the lunar surface, granting the element yet another role in propelling human technology and knowledge forward.
Overall, the story of helium’s evolution provides a fascinating look into how our understanding and use of the elements of the periodic table have changed over time. It reminds us of the vast potential of each, and the endless possibilities we can unlock by continuing to push the boundaries of our knowledge and innovation.
