Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Environment & Energy

Salviati

(6,055 posts)

4. It's not in the atmosphere, because it is too light to be held onto by the earth's gravity.

Reply to doc03 (Reply #3)

Tue Nov 20, 2012, 11:48 PM

Nov 2012

At the earth's temperature it all eventually escapes out into space, so any Helium that was once on Earth, or is produced in the Earth eventually leaves. Which is why it was first discovered in the spectrum of the sun, and only later on the Earth - hence Helium (Helios being Greek for the sun)

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

10 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Stop the Parade! Should we be wasting our dwindling supply of helium on floating cartoon characters? [View all] octoberlib Nov 2012 OP

Who knew? rgbecker Nov 2012 #1

...but....but....SNOOPY!!!! Squinch Nov 2012 #2

Interesting, I worked in a steel mill where we had what we called an oxygen plant doc03 Nov 2012 #3

It's not in the atmosphere, because it is too light to be held onto by the earth's gravity. Salviati Nov 2012 #4

I should have stayed awake in school more often I guess n/t doc03 Nov 2012 #5

If Macy's ever stops using the floating balloon characters in their parades octoberlib Nov 2012 #6

Helium is generated by fission or fusion Demeter Nov 2012 #7

Not practical. lastlib Nov 2012 #8

I never said it was PRACTICAL! Demeter Nov 2012 #9

NO, because FREEDOM!! hatrack Nov 2012 #10