Balloons just got real. An element of the periodic table, helium is what chemists call an inert gas. Helium has an atomic number of 2. It's nontoxic, nonflammable, and is used in several ...

Helium balloons are a staple part of a lot of parties, but they rely on helium gas to fill them - and it's in short supply. Should we be using this precious gas in balloons?