What is the Difference Between Hydrogen and Helium?

Hydrogen and helium are both elements in the periodic table and exist as gases at room temperature. However, there are several key differences between them:

1. Atomic Structure: A hydrogen atom consists of one electron and one proton, while a helium atom contains two electrons and two protons. Helium has a fully filled s orbital (1s², but in hydrogen, there is only one electron (1s¹), making it unstable.
2. Nature of the Gas: Hydrogen is a diatomic gas, while helium is a monatomic gas.
3. Molecular Weight: Hydrogen has a molecular weight of 1, while helium has a molecular weight of 4.
4. Reactivity: Hydrogen is reactive and forms many chemical compounds, whereas helium is inert and does not form chemical compounds.
5. Lifting Power: Helium has a lower lifting power compared to hydrogen. Hydrogen is the lightest element, and while helium is also lighter than air, it is not as light as hydrogen.
6. Energy Production: Nuclear fusion of hydrogen to form helium occurs naturally in the sun and other stars, and it takes place only at extremely high temperatures.
7. Renewability: Helium is a non-renewable resource, while hydrogen can be produced over and over again.

Comparative Table: Hydrogen vs Helium

Here is a table comparing the differences between hydrogen and helium:

Hydrogen and helium are both gases and the first two elements in the periodic table. They are the most abundant elements in the universe, with hydrogen making up about 75% of all matter and helium accounting for approximately 25%. While hydrogen can be combined with most elements in the periodic table, helium is a noble gas and forms no compounds.