Question #133395. Asked by romeomikegolf.
Last updated Nov 16 2013.
Originally posted Nov 16 2013 7:43 AM.
paper_aero
Answer has 2 votes
paper_aero 19 year member
98 replies
Answer has 2 votes.
Well according to this BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24903034
Helium is one of several.
"In the universe as a whole, it is one of the commonest elements, second only to hydrogen in its abundance. On Earth it is relatively rare, and one of the few elements that escapes gravity and leaks away into space."
Nov 16 2013, 11:09 AM
Baloo55th
Answer has 2 votes
Baloo55th 22 year member
4545 replies
Answer has 2 votes.
I would point out that it doesn't really 'defy' gravity. It's just that we don't have enough gravity to control it. It's almost totally non-reactive, unlike the less dense hydrogen atom, and is found simply as He. The molecule is one atom, and a very 'light' one at that. Hydrogen is still around on Earth because it reacts with so many things (including oxygen, which can be lead to a nice explosion and some more water...). Most of the Helium that was here to start with has long gone, and what we have was formed by decay of radioactive things underground so it got trapped. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium