2 He 4.003

Helium

Noble Gas

Helium (He) is a chemical element with atomic number 2, classified as a noble gas. At room temperature it is a gas. It was discovered in 1868 by Pierre Janssen, Norman Lockyer.

Properties

Atomic number
2
Atomic mass
4.003 u
Category
Noble Gas
Group
18
Period
1
Block
s-block
Electron configuration
1s²
Phase at STP
Gas
Density
0.1786 g/L
Melting point
0.95 K (-272.2 °C)
Boiling point
4.22 K (-268.9 °C)
Electronegativity
Atomic radius
31 pm
Ionization energy
24.587 eV
Discovery
1868 · Pierre Janssen, Norman Lockyer

Common uses

Balloons, medical breathing mixtures, cooling superconducting magnets

Did you know?

Second most abundant element in the universe but very rare on Earth.