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Do you mean it's hard to contain because you have a gas comprised of tiny noble atoms versus hydrogen which is generally found in pairs?
by astrodust 13y ago
Do you mean it's hard to contain because you have a gas comprised of tiny noble atoms versus hydrogen which is generally found in pairs?
- rbanffy 13y agoHelium atoms are also smaller than Hydrongen atoms and that makes it even easier for Helium to find its way around the smallest joints and seals.
- krasin 13y ago>Helium atoms are also smaller than Hydrogen atoms How is that? Hydrogen atom is one proton + one electron [1], and "Helium is composed of two electrons bound by the electromagnetic force to a nucleus containing two protons along with either one or two neutrons, depending on the isotope" [2] [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_atom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_atom [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium_atom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium_atom
- bri3d 13y agoIn a Chemistry 101 sort of way: Helium has more protons, thus more nuclear charge. Its valence electrons are in the same shell but are being "pulled closer" by the protons, so the total diameter of nucleus + electron shell is "smaller." The reality is, of course, much more complex. Here's Physicsforum (generally a good source) teaching more: http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=306457 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=306457