What property of helium allowed scientists to first discover its existence?
A) Helium accumulates inside meteoroids (fragments of rock and iron orbiting the Sun that, when they fall to Earth, are known as meteorites).
B) Helium refuses to combine chemically with other elements.
C) Helium absorbs light at certain wavelengths that were not characteristic of any element known at that time.
D) Helium is characteristically found in rocks containing radioactively decaying elements such as uranium.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Helium was first discovered as a result of its unique spectral lines observed during a solar eclipse, which did not match those of any known element at the time. This observation indicated the presence of an unknown element in the Sun, later named helium.

What Property of Helium Allowed Scientists to First Discover Its