What Happens When You Breathe Helium?

TL;DR

Breathing helium temporarily changes your voice due to the gas's lower density and higher speed of sound compared to air. While it's generally safe in small amounts, excessive inhalation can be dangerous. Helium is also used by deep-sea divers to avoid nitrogen bubble formation, and under extreme pressure, it can form unusual compounds.

Transcript

Now, of course, the most famous thing about helium... Or at least the thing that most people know, is if you breathe in helium, it makes your voice change. Makes it go squeaky. I've never tried this... So, I decided that it'd be rather fun to try this time with Neil and Brady helping me. [Brady ] Are you nervous then? Erm. No, I'm not nervous yet. ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👂 Helium changes voice pitch due to its properties affecting the speed of sound.
• 🤢 Helium is used by deep-sea divers to avoid nitrogen-related health issues.
• 🙈 Under high pressure, helium can form compounds not seen under normal conditions.
• ❓ Helium is created in nuclear fusion reactions, like those in the Sun.
• 🥳 Controlled fusion may one day offer clean energy solutions using helium generation.
• ❓ Helium-3 is a rare isotope with unique properties compared to the more common helium-4.
• 😘 Liquid helium-3 and helium-4 may be immiscible due to quantum effects at low temperatures.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does breathing helium change your voice?

Breathing helium changes your voice due to the speed of sound being much faster in helium compared to air, and due to head resonance.

Q: How is helium used in deep-sea diving?

Helium is used in deep-sea diving to replace nitrogen in breathing air, preventing the bends by allowing divers to avoid nitrogen bubbles in their blood.

Q: Can helium form compounds?

Helium can form compounds under extreme pressure conditions, as shown by the compound Na2He formed with sodium under three million atmospheres.

Q: How is helium related to nuclear fusion?

Helium is created in nuclear fusion reactions in the Sun and can potentially be produced in controlled fusion reactions on Earth to generate clean electricity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Breathing in helium changes your voice due to its properties, but it can be risky if done excessively.

• Helium is used in deep-sea diving to prevent the bends caused by nitrogen bubbles.

• Under high pressure, helium can form compounds like Na2He.