SPECTRA

Helium

Most of us know helium through helium balloons--the ones that float upwards in spite of gravity (and make us talk funny). Helium is, more importantly, of the most gasses in our sun.

When helium is activated (or burns as in the sun), it shines a slightly pinkish white. What colors of the spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo & violet) do you think will will stand out most in helium's "signature?" To find out, play the movie located below.

As you can see, helium's signature, similar to the signature of nitrogen, shows most of the spectrum. It is, however, not as bright as nitrogen in our exhibit.

Choose another gas . . .

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