Helium
Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and inert gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table. Its boiling and melting points are the lowest among all the elements and it exists only as a gas except in extreme conditions. Helium was first discovered in 1868 by French astronomer Jules Janssen and British astronomer Joseph Norman Lockyer during a solar eclipse. The element is named after the Greek god of the sun, Helios . Helium is the second lightest element and is almost seven times lighter than air. It is widely used in cryogenics, as it has the lowest boiling point of any element, and is used to cool materials and instruments to extremely low temperatures. Helium is also used in the production of semiconductors, fiber optics, welding, and as a lifting gas for balloons and airships. The supply of helium is limited, and its price has increased in recent years due to concerns over its av