• AlexandairBabeuf [they/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    you've got my attention on helium economy

    does helium decay? where do they get it in the first place lmao? can't they just get it back outta the air?

    • SaberTail [any]
      1·
      4 years ago

      Helium doesn't decay, but it does rise to the top of the atmosphere, and then slowly escapes into space.

      It mostly comes from radioactive decay in the earth. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, so anything that alpha decays is slowly making more helium. I think we get a lot of our supply as a side product of natural gas extraction.