I’ve always wondered what is happening when a helium filled ballon shrinks over time. Is the gas escaping through the membrane ever so slowly or is it something else entirely?
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Gas is escaping. Helium molecules are some of the smallest stable molecules to exist (two protons, two neutrons, and two electrons), capable of diffusing through even extremely tight/dense materials.
Edit: Added the correct number of neutrons
The helium ~~is stolen by helium gnomes~~ escapes through the material.
Helium (and hydrogen molecules for that matter, though pure helium is monatomic since it doesn’t need other bonds) are really really small. Small enough to escape through gaps in material like latex.
Mylar balloons hold it better but even metal isn’t impervious to it.
Hydrogen molecules can actually damage solid metal to the point of failure since they’re small enough to penetrate the structure.
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