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Material World

Helium vs Hydrogen

Helium and Hydrogen are genuine alternatives to one another — a choice somebody actually makes — and differ on 4 measured properties, density most clearly.

Helium vs Hydrogen

Helium

He

An inert gas that cannot be manufactured, is escaping the planet continuously, and is being spent on party balloons.

Hydrogen

H

The lightest and most abundant element in the universe, and the one most often proposed as a replacement for the fuels we currently burn.

Property comparison of Helium and Hydrogen
PropertyHeliumHydrogen
Atomic number2 higher1
Density0.0001785 g/cm³ higher0.00008987 g/cm³
Melting point-272.2 to -272.05 °C-259.14 °C higher
Molar mass4.002602 g/mol higher1.008 g/mol

Other comparisons