2007-03-20 03:23:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Fusion of hydrogen (in the sun) or the breakdown of radioactive elements (helium is the same as an alpha particle, which is two protons and two neutrons, with no electrons). It's actually a naturally-occuring element, and if I recall correctly is one of the 5 most common elements in the universe.
If you're wondering where helium in cannisters for filling balloons comes from, it's isolated from natural gas deposits (it's a natural product of radioactive decay of some elements) and then compressed.
2007-03-20 03:28:29 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Helium is made by distilling natural gas, which can consist of 9-10% helium.
Helium is commercially recovered from natural gas deposits, mostly from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
For large-scale use, helium is extracted by fractional distillation from natural gas, which contains up to 7% helium.
Also refer:
http://www.answers.com/topic/helium
2007-03-20 12:25:22 · answer #2 · answered by rhea 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is most commonly made in the sun by Nuclear Fusion, but I think you are more interested in the process of extracting Helium on Earth.....
Here are both...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium#Occurrence_and_production
2007-03-20 10:28:44 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sun is a fussion reactor - it has hydrogen collide with each other to release energy and the 'exhaust' is helium.
H + H = H2
2007-03-20 10:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the easiest way is to separate the Beryllium atom into two helium atoms.
Good luck and happy helium making
2007-03-20 10:49:53 · answer #5 · answered by tHe_TaStE_oF_mInD 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
helium is not made. it is an element on the periodic table, which occurs naturally.
2007-03-20 10:29:34 · answer #6 · answered by Falcon Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
helium and hydrogen are the two main constituents of this whole universe they were there from the begining.
helium can never be made it can only be seperated from the air.
2007-03-20 10:28:48 · answer #7 · answered by cove128 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
in the sun. it's a fusion reaction.
the He in tanks is extracted from natural deposits and is not made. Remember it's an element, and although it can be created it's a lot easier to just extract it from nature.
2007-03-20 10:50:49 · answer #8 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Helium is a fusion of fart gases from your butt
2007-03-20 10:31:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋