Question

Explain why:
Helium is used for filling weather balloons.

Answer 1

Hint: Helium is an element in periodic table with atomic number 2 and it exists as gas and generally helium and hydrogen gases are used in the weather balloons which are used for weather forecasting. The main reasons for these gases lie in their properties like their reactivity and their density and weight.

Complete step by step answer:
In the question, Helium gas and its uses in weather balloons is asked and we should firstly know about weather balloons and then proceed to the answer.
-So, a weather balloon is a type of balloon which is sent in the atmosphere in the sky to know about the details of weather and its forecasting. So, it is generally used for weather forecasting and a small container-like package is fitted with this balloon which is the instrument used for performing these functions and it is called as radiosonde.
-Now since this balloon is going upwards in the sky, so either helium or hydrogen gas is used in these kinds of balloons. Generally, Helium gas is used in most of the balloons and major reason for this are: -
-Helium gas is lighter than air and it has lesser density as compared to the air. So, we observe that the balloon starts rising upwards and this is because of its less density than air i.e. about one eighth times lesser than air (hydrogen is also lighter than air).
-It is non-flammable and therefore does not react with air or surroundings or gets explode but hydrogen is the gas which is flammable and when it reacts with air, it explodes and becomes dangerous (this is the reason hydrogen is less used in balloons even though it is lighter than air).
-These were the main reason Helium is used in the weather balloons which are used for weather forecasting.

Note:
There are other gases also like Nitrogen which is used in scuba diving tanks, and those tanks contain gas mixed with nitrogen gas. So, there are other gasses also which are used specifically for some purposes and these are known to attempt similar types of questions as well.