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Bohr model
Intermediate
Electrons occupy quantised orbits.
bohrElectrons move in stable circular orbits with quantised angular momentum and emit or absorb a photon only when jumping between orbits: hf = E_i − E_f.
Accounts for the hydrogen spectrum accurately.
Fails for atoms with more than one electron.
In more detail
The Bohr model places electrons in quantised circular orbits around the nucleus, where they do not radiate. Electrons emit or absorb photons when they jump between orbits.
Real-world uses
- The Bohr model explains the spectrum of hydrogen.
- It is a useful first picture of atomic energy levels.
- Teachers use the Bohr model to introduce energy levels and explain the lines in the hydrogen spectrum.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Bohr model correct?
It is a useful approximation for hydrogen, but quantum mechanics gives a more accurate description.
Who proposed it?
Niels Bohr, in 1913.
Is the Bohr model still used?
As a simple introduction, yes. Quantum mechanics gives a more accurate picture, but the Bohr model still predicts hydrogen's energies well.
Related topics in Atomic & Nuclear Physics
Thomson's plum pudding · Rutherford's scattering experiment · Rutherford model limits · Bohr's postulates · Radius of Bohr orbit · Energy of hydrogen levels