Helium vs. Hydrogen — What's the Difference?

A noble gas in the periodic table.

A chemical element with atomic number 1.

A non-reactive gas.

The lightest and most abundant element.

An element with atomic number 2.

A flammable gas.

Lighter than air, but heavier than Hydrogen.

Capable of forming a diatomic molecule, H2.

Used in cryogenics and cooling.

Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic table.

Helium (from Greek: ἥλιος, romanized: helios, lit. 'sun') is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas, the first in the noble gas group in the periodic table.

A colorless, highly flammable element, that occurs as a diatomic molecule, H2, the lightest of all gases and the most abundant element in the universe, used in the production of synthetic ammonia and methanol, in petroleum refining, in the hydrogenation of organic materials, as a reducing atmosphere, in oxyhydrogen torches, in cryogenic research, and in rocket fuels. Atomic number 1; atomic weight 1.00794; melting point -259.1°C; boiling point -252.8°C; density at 0°C 0.08988 gram per liter; valence 1. See Periodic Table.

A colorless, odorless inert gaseous element occurring in natural gas and with radioactive ores. It is used as a component of artificial atmospheres and laser media, as a refrigerant, as a lifting gas for balloons, and as a superfluid in cryogenic research. Atomic number 2; atomic weight 4.0026; boiling point -268.9°C; density at 0°C 0.1785 gram per liter. See Periodic Table.

The lightest chemical element (symbol H), with an atomic number of 1 and atomic weight of 1.00794. Category:en:Hydrogen

(uncountable) The second lightest chemical element (symbol He) with an atomic number of 2 and atomic weight of 4.002602, a colorless, odorless and inert noble gas. Category:en:Helium

An atom of the element.

(countable) A form or sample of the element.

Molecular hydrogen (H2), a colourless, odourless and flammable gas at room temperature.

An inert, monoatomic, gaseous element occurring in the atmosphere of the sun and stars, and in small quantities in the earth's atmosphere, in several minerals and in certain mineral waters. It is obtained from natural gas in industrial quantities. Symbol, He; atomic number 2; at. wt., 4.0026 (C=12.011). Helium was first detected spectroscopically in the sun by Lockyer in 1868; it was first prepared by Ramsay in 1895. Helium has a density of 1.98 compared with hydrogen, and is more difficult to liquefy than the latter. Chemically, it is an inert noble gas, belonging to the argon group, and cannot be made to form compounds. The helium nucleus is the charged particle which constitutes alpha rays, and helium is therefore formed as a decomposition product of certain radioactive substances such as radium. The normal helium nucleus has two protons and two neutrons, but an isotope with only one neutron is also observed in atmospheric helium at an abundance of 0.013 %. Liquid helium has a boiling point of -268.9° C at atmospheric pressure, and is used for maintaining very low temperatures, both in laboratory experimentation and in commercial applications to maintain superconductivity in low-temperature superconducting devices. Gaseous helium at normal temperatures is used for buoyancy in blimps, dirigibles, and high-altitude balloons, and also for amusement in party balloons.

A molecule of this molecular species

A very light colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; the most difficult gas to liquefy; occurs in economically extractable amounts in certain natural gases (as those found in Texas and Kansas)

A sample of the element/molecule.

A gaseous element, colorless, tasteless, and odorless, the lightest known substance, being fourteen and a half times lighter than air (hence its use in filling balloons), and over eleven thousand times lighter than water. It is very abundant, being an ingredient of water and of many other substances, especially those of animal or vegetable origin. It may by produced in many ways, but is chiefly obtained by the action of acids (as sulphuric) on metals, as zinc, iron, etc. It is very inflammable, and is an ingredient of coal gas and water gas. It is standard of chemical equivalents or combining weights, and also of valence, being the typical monad. Symbol H. Atomic weight 1.

A nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

Potential fuel source in fuel cells.

Hydrogen can produce energy when combined with oxygen, emitting only water as a byproduct.

Yes, water consists of two Hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.

No, Helium is largely inert and doesn't react easily.

The sun's energy comes from nuclear fusion, where Hydrogen atoms fuse to form Helium.

While inhaling Helium can change voice pitch temporarily, it's dangerous as it deprives the body of oxygen.

No, Helium atoms can escape most containment over time due to their small size.

No, while Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, it's relatively rare on Earth.

Hydrogen has a high affinity for oxygen and releases energy when they combine, making it flammable.

Hydrogen is lighter than Helium.

Helium is lighter than air, causing balloons filled with it to rise.

Hydrogen is often produced through processes like steam reforming of natural gas or electrolysis of water.

Yes, Hydrogen is the lightest, followed by Helium.

Yes, Hydrogen fuel cells can power vehicles, producing only water as exhaust.

Hydrogen requires special safety measures due to its flammability and pressure considerations during transportation.

Helium, when cooled to a liquid state, is used to cool the superconducting magnets in MRI machines.