What is the Difference Between Helium and Oxygen?

Helium and oxygen are two distinct chemical elements with different properties. Some key differences between them include:

• Chemical Reactivity: Helium is an inert noble gas, meaning it does not react with any other elements or compounds. In contrast, oxygen is a highly reactive gas, quickly reacting with many elements and compounds. Oxygen can act as both an oxidizing and reducing agent in various chemical reactions.
• Density: Helium has a density of 0.0001785 g/cm³, while oxygen has a density of 0.001429 g/cm³. This makes helium lighter than oxygen, causing helium-filled balloons to rise higher than oxygen-filled balloons.
• Molecular Structure: Helium exists as individual atoms, whereas oxygen exists as diatomic molecules.
• Size: Helium gas has a smaller atomic radius than oxygen gas, making it lightweight and smaller compared to oxygen gas.

In summary, helium and oxygen have distinct properties, including chemical reactivity, density, molecular structure, and size, which set them apart as unique elements within the periodic table.

Comparative Table: Helium vs Oxygen

Here is a table comparing the key differences between helium and oxygen:

Helium is an inert, noble gas that does not react with most elements and compounds. It is commonly used in party balloons, diving mixtures (such as heliox), and energy-producing fusion reactions in stars. Oxygen, on the other hand, is a highly reactive diatomic gas that acts as an oxidizing agent in most chemical reactions. It is essential for respiration and combustion and has two allotropes: dioxygen (O2) and trioxygen (O3), also known as ozone.