2006-09-03 17:13:00 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A good question. All the other inert gases are extracted from air by fractional distillation. But there's bugger all helium left in the atmosphere. Being so light it's all escaped into space. So all the helium you can buy commercially comes from underground. It's found in oil and natural gas wells, where it has been trapped for millions of years along with the oil and gas. Although it's the second most common element in the universe after hydrogen, it's rare and expensive on Earth. The only countries I know of that export it are Canada, the US, the Czech Republic and Poland.
2006-09-03 20:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alpha radiation is when one atom changes into another atom, caughing up a helium nucleus in the process. All that needs to be done is capture that particle, which is very easy - an alpha particle can be stopped with something as flimsy as a piece of paper.
2006-09-04 00:27:50 · answer #2 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is found in significant amounts only in natural gas, from which it is extracted at low temperatures by fractional distillation.
2006-09-04 00:18:43 · answer #3 · answered by Robert A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With a parachute.
2006-09-04 00:18:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
erm with balloons?
2006-09-04 06:36:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋