A Periodic Table Day Special

Helium

By Katelin Kukk

Happy Periodic Table Day! This day was made to recognize the publication of the first table of elements. As well as promote the challenges that were overcome to create the modern periodic table that we use today. John Newlands published one of the first tables of the elements in 1863 and came up with a system to categorize them. This led to the discoveries of other elements.

Helium is one of the elements listed on the periodic table and is quite an interesting element. You might be familiar with it, knowing that balloons are filled with helium to make them float or your voice higher pitched. This element is lighter than air, meaning the speed of sound is higher in helium. By inhaling, you are increasing the speed of your voice. Thus, getting a squeaky, silly voice. Helium is also the second lightest element, after hydrogen, and is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is the only element that cannot be solidified by cooling at normal atmospheric pressure.

To celebrate this day, you can test your knowledge of the periodic table by quizzing your friends or family on the elements! If you want to go even further, test yourself by naming how many protons are in each element!

Have FUN with Science!