Bohr’s Model

In this lecture we are going to learn about the Bohr model, rules required for Bohr model and limitations of Bohr model.

Introduction:

Neil Bohr proposed the Bohr model of the atom in 1915, and it has been in use ever since. With the modification of Rutherford’s atomic model, it came into existence.Introducing the nuclear model of an atom, Rutherford’s model explained how a nucleus (which is positively charged) is surrounded by negatively charged electrons in the presence of a positively charged electron.

Bohr Model

The Bohr hypothesis The atomic structure model was modified by explaining that electrons move in fixed orbitals (shells) and not anywhere in between, and he also explained that each orbit (shell) has a fixed energy level. Rutherford essentially explained the nucleus of an atom, and Bohr refined that model to include electrons and their energy levels, which were discovered by Bohr.

Essentially, Bohr’s model is composed of a small nucleus (which is positively charged) surrounded by negatively charged electrons, which move in orbits around the nucleus. Bohr discovered that an electron located away from the nucleus has more energy than an electron located close to the nucleus, and that electrons located close to the nucleus have less energy.

Postulates of Bohr’s Model of an Atom

  • In an atom, electrons (which are negatively charged) revolve around the positively charged nucleus in a definite circular path known as orbits or shells, which are defined by the size of the circle.
  • Each orbit or shell has a fixed amount of energy, and these circular orbits are referred to as orbital shells in mathematical terms.
  • n is an integer (n=1, 2, 3,…) that represents the different energy levels. This integer is known as the quantum number. This range of quantum numbers begins on the nucleus’s side, with n=1 having the lowest energy level as its starting point. It is said that an electron is in the ground state when its energy level is as low as possible for the orbits n=1, 2, 3, 4,… The orbits n=1, 2, 3, 4… are assigned to the K, L, M, N…. shells, and when an electron achieves this level of energy it is said to be in the ground state.
  • During the transition from one energy level to another in an atom, electrons gain the required amount of energy, whereas electrons transitioning from one energy level to another lose that amount of energy.
  • Electrons in an atom can move from one energy level to another by gaining or losing energy.

Limitations of Bohr’s Model of an Atom

  • The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is not explained by the model in detail. Because the electrons, according to the Bohr atomic model theory, have both a radius and an orbit, it is possible for them to have both a position and a momentum at the same time. This is in conflict with the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, according to the author.
  • The theory developed by Bohr was a hybrid of classical and quantum physics concepts. Quantum physics has supplanted classical physics, which means that quantum physics contains all of the properties that classical physics possessed. As a result, the approach of understanding the model of the atom is rendered ineffective in some ways.

In addition, the model was unable to account for the different intensities of the spectral lines, which are classified as part of the Stark effect.

  • The model was unable to explain the existence of hyperfine structure in some spectral lines, which was observed.
  • When it comes to larger atoms such as helium, lithium, and oxygen, or any other element, the model makes inaccurate spectral line predictions, according to the researchers. The model developed by Bohr only works with hydrogen.

This model fails to explain the Zeeman effect, which is the splitting of spectral lines that occurs when a magnet is used to attract particles.

Bohr’s Theory of Hydrogen Atom and Hydrogen-like Atoms

Atoms that are similar to hydrogen are made up of a small positively charged nucleus and an electron that revolves around the nucleus in a stable circular orbit.

Bohr’s Radius: 

If ‘e,’ ‘m,’ and ‘v’ be the charge, mass, and velocity of the electron respectively, ‘r’ be the radius of the orbit, and Z be the atomic number, the equation for the radii of the permitted orbits is given by r = n2 r1, where ‘n’ is the principal quantum number, and r1 is the least allowed radius for a hydrogen atom, known as Bohr’s radius having a value of 0.53 Å. 

Conclusion:

When Sir J.J. Thomson discovered electrons in 1897, he did so with no prior knowledge of the electron distribution, positive charge, or mass within the atom. He also had no prior knowledge of the distribution of electrons, positive charge, or mass within the atom. According to Sir Thomson’s atom model, which is also known as the “plum pudding model,” in 1904, electrons are embedded like plums in a distribution (or pudding) of positive charge within the atom, which he called “the plum pudding theory.” Thomson’s model was unable to explain the emission spectra and alpha particle scattering observed in the experiments. Rutherford developed a new model in which the electrons revolve around the nucleus in different orbits, which he named after the scientist.

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What is the motion of electrons in Bohr's model?

Ans: According to the theory, electrons in atoms travel around a central nucleus in circular orbits and can only orb...Read full

What was Bohr's method of discovering electrons?

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Is it true that Bohr's model contained neutrons?

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What changes did Sommerfeld make to Bohr's theory?

Ans: Several modifications to the Bohr model have been proposed, the most notable of which is the Sommerfeld model, ...Read full

Who was the person who discovered electrons?

Ans: When J. J. Thomson was researching the properties of the cathode ray in 1897, he made the discovery of the elec...Read full