Question

Helium is used in balloons in place of hydrogen because it is:
A) Incombustible
B) Lighter than hydrogen
C) Radioactive
D) More abundant than hydrogen

Answer 1

Hint: Helium gas is placed next to the hydrogen in the periodic table. To use gas in a balloon the gas needs to be safe. One can analyze the factors given in the options and relate them with the cause for use of helium in balloons.

Complete step by step answer:
1) First of all let's analyze all the given options one by one and compare them with hydrogen gas. The 1st option says that helium is incombustible than hydrogen gas. As we know hydrogen gas is nowadays used as fuel and it is a highly flammable gas. But the helium gas doesn’t burn when it comes in contact with the flame which makes this option a correct statement.
2) The 2nd option says that the helium gas is lighter than the hydrogen gas. As the mass of helium gas is four which is far more than the hydrogen gas which is one, the option given is incorrect.
3) Now the 3rd option says that the helium gas is radioactive which is incorrect as it doesn’t emit any radiation.
4) The 4th option says that helium is more abundant than hydrogen. As helium gas is the noble gas and the amount of hydrogen gas in the atmosphere is far more than the helium gas this option is incorrect.
Therefore, the Helium is used in balloons in place of hydrogen because it is incombustible which shows option A as the correct choice.

Note:
Helium is an inert gas that doesn’t react easily with other chemicals and also doesn’t catch fire. Due to its incombustible property, it is safe for use in balloons which is most favorite among children. As the helium gas is lighter than the composition of the air, the balloon is filled with helium that rises in the air atmosphere.