Science & TechFact

Every party balloon loses helium to space for good.

Helium is so light that it escapes from the atmosphere into space. Only 5.2 parts per million of air are helium. Fresh supply forms slowly in rock: decaying uranium and thorium yield about 3,000 tonnes a year, which collects in natural gas deposits, up to 7 percent there. Helium was only isolated in 1895.

Useful: MRI scanners need helium for cooling. A balloon's worth is a resource that never comes back.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

AtmosphaereChemieRohstoffe

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