Atomic Theory: Bohr Atomic Model

Atomic Theory: Bohr Atomic Model

The atomic model of scientist Niels Bohr, who influenced contemporary physics

There were two emblematic contributions made to atomic theory, Danish Niels Henrik David Bohr, for his theoretical and practical research on quantum concepts at the atomic level and his atomic model. This scientist born in 1885, in Copenhague, Denmark, transcended the field of contemporary physics, consecrating as one of the precursors of the atomic bomb.

Bohr postulates

Physicist Niels Bohr explained his atomic model, from four main postulates:

1. The number of electrons in each orbit increases from the inside out. Electrons orbit around the nucleus of the atom without emitting energy. Only some orbits are admitted.
2. Electrons can jump from one orbit to another, spontaneously, without going through intermediate states, for this reason it is stated, that they can only give quantum jumps. If the electron jumps from an internal orbit to an external one, there is energy absorption. If you jump from an external orbit to an internal, there is energy emission.
3. The passage of one electron from one quantum to another implies the emission or absorption of electromagnetic energy transformed into photons of light. The energy that is released or absorbed is represented by means of formula E2-E1 = H*V.
4. Approved orbits have moderate or quantized values ​​of orbital angular time, 1 being the minimum value of N, corresponding to a minimum radius of 0.

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The atomic model proposed by the Danish physicist

The purpose of his atomic model, proposed in 1913, was to explain the structure of the atom and its behavior. As well as the stability of matter, from the analysis of the hydrogen atom, composed of a proton in the nucleus and an electron orbiting around it. Niels Bohr based his atomic theory, on the investigations carried out on the planetary atomic model, presented by the British physicist Ernest Rutherford, and the quantum theory formulated by the German physicists Max Planck and Albert Einstein.

He introduced the theory of quantified orbits, through which he explained that the atom consisted of a positively loaded core. It has unalterable orbits that surround the nucleus, and have emission spectra. He considered that the atom structure resembled a small solar system.

He established that only when an electron from the atom jump from one quantum level to another, moving in certain orbits, characterized by its energy level, without passing through intermediate states, the atom manifests electromagnetic radiation. Each orbit is related to an energy level, and is identified by means of an integer, represented by the letter "N", called the main quantum number. According to this, he could establish the distance from where they were the nucleus, the orbits that were in the hydrogen atom.

According to the main quantum number, he calculated the distances to which each of the orbits admitted in the hydrogen atom was in the nucleus. The development of the elementary equation of quantum mechanics, carried out by the Austrian physicist Erwin Rudolf Josef Schrodinger, was possible thanks to Bohr’s atomic model, together with the wave-corpusculus duality.

His "research about the structure of atoms and radiation emanates from them," the Nobel Prize in Physics earned him in 1922. This study served as the basis for many works where it was determined that the light had a wave-particle duplicity, revealing conditions that were reciprocally excluded.

Other contributions

Apart from the atomic model that Niels Bohr presented in 1913, considered one of the most emblematic contributions made to the scope of physics and science in general, other significant contributions that Bohr made with some famous scientific.

Among these is, a legacy of distingne works such as the Bohr-Van Leeuwen theorem of 1911, the theory of the spectra and atomic constitution of 1922, the structure of the periodic table of 1922, the principle of the correspondence of 1923, the interpretation of Copenhague of 1927, the principle of the complementarity of 1928. Similarly, in 1936 he made way for his research on nuclear reactions, in 1938 the mechanism of nuclear fission, in 1958 atomic physics and human knowledge, among others.

Thanks to his work on the principle of complementarity of 1928, he contributed to the constitution of the Copenhagen School of Quantum Mechanics. In 1933, Bohr presented his work on liquid drop, through which he explained the reason for nuclear disintegrations.

Due to the 1940 Nazi invasion, Bohr was forced to emigrate. He lived in the United States under the pseudonym of Nicholas Baker. He strongly collaborated in the manufacture of the first atomic bomb, within the framework of the so -called Manhattan project, which took place in a laboratory located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the USA.

After the war, Bohr returned to his country of origin, where he favored with his research, the establishment of nuclear facilities and scientific development, becoming the most distinguished scientist. He was a member of the Academy of Sciences of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

However, he was a strong defender of nuclear disarmament. He was a speaker in the Gifford lessons or conferences of 1948 – 1950, where he covered the theme "Casuality and Complementary". He also encouraged the organization of conferences and workshops, whose theme was related to the use of atomic energy. In 1951, a manifesto signed by the most influential scientists of the time, which ratified the duty of the states, to guarantee the peaceful use of atomic energy made public knowledge.

In 1952, Bohr cooperated at the foundation of the European Center for Nuclear Research CERN, in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1955, he established the first conference atoms for peace, held in Geneva. In 1957, he was recognized with the prize of the same name, organized by the Ford Foundation, for contributing to the development of scientific studies, for the progress of the planet. 

Niels Bohr died at the age of seventy -seven, in Copenhague, Denmark, in 1962.