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The Birth of Niels Henrik David Bohr
Niels Henrik David Bohr was born in Copenhagen Denmark on October 7, 1885. His father was Christian Bohr, a professor of physiology at Copenhagen University and his mother was Ellen née Adler, daughter of a prominent Jewish banker. (Nobelprize.org, 2021) -
University of Copenhagen
In 1903 Bohr enrolls to attend classes at the University of Copenhagen. The same university his father taught physiology. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021) -
Completion of his Master's Degree
Niel Bohr completes his Masters Degree in Physics in the year 1909. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021) -
Completion of his Doctoral Degree
Niel Bohr obtained his doctorate in 1911 with a dissertation on the electron theory of metals. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021) -
Works under the guidance of Sir Joseph John Thomson’s
"In the autumn of 1911 he made a stay at Cambridge, where he profited by following the experimental work going on in the Cavendish Laboratory under Sir J.J. Thomson’s guidance, at the same time as he pursued own theoretical studies" (Nobelprize.org, 2021). Thomson was a British Chemist that was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1906 for his work on the passage of electricity through gases that lead to the discovery of the electron particle. (Aponte, 2015) -
Works under the guidance of Ernest Ruthford
Bohr becomes interested in deepening his understanding of radiation and the model of the atom. (Aponte, 2015) In 1912 starts working with Professor Ernest Rutherford at the University of Manchester. "Only the year before, Rutherford and his collaborators had established experimentally that the atom consists of a heavy positively charged nucleus with substantially lighter negatively charged electrons circling around it at considerable distance" (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021). -
Marriage to Margrethe Nørlund
"On August 1, 1912, Bohr married Margrethe Nørlund, and the marriage proved a particularly happy one. Throughout his life, Margrethe was his most-trusted adviser" (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021). -
"Bohr model of the atom"
"The Bohr model of the atom, a radical departure from earlier, classical descriptions, was the first that incorporated quantum theory" (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021) Bohr proposed that electrons were assigned to a particular orbit based on their electrical charge. Unlike previous models, electrons traveled in a defined path that did not use energy. When electrons jumped orbit, energy was released in the way of photos. For more information watch this video link. "https://youtu.be/GhAn8xZQ-d8" -
Professorship at the University of Copenhagen
Bohr starts teaching at his Alma Mater the University of Copenhagen. Where he was appointed as the head of Theoretical Physics department. Further working on his research on the theory of electromagnetic radiation released by an atom as a result of electrons jumping to different orbit levels. (Biography.com, 2020) -
Founding of the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics
As the head of the University's Theoretical Physics department, Bohr founds the University of Copenhagen's Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics. Due in part to the "international prestige that he gained by his studies and publications," (Aponte, 2015) Bohr remains as the head of the Institute up until his death. (Biography.com, 2020) -
Nobel Prize in Physics
Bohr receives the Nobel Prize in 1922 for his work on the atomic structure. His work changed our understanding of the atom structure and how energy is transmitted between electrons. His later work helped to define the physical properties of an atom on an atomic level. (Aponte, 2015) -
Research on Nuclear Fusion
Bohr spent much of the 1930's in the Untied States working with other world renowned scientists working on the forefront of nuclear fusion research. Purposing the "liquid droplet theory," which helped explain the mechanism of nuclear fission. (Aponte, 2015) -
President of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences
Upon his return to Denmark, Bohr is elected the President of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences. (Aponte, 2015) -
"Manhattan Project"
After reaching the United States from England, Bohr was recruited to help work on the infamous "Manhattan Project." Working in a laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico he, along with many other scientists helped to produce the first atomic bomb. (Biography.com, 2020) -
Escape from Nazi Occupation
With the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Bohr's Jewish heritage was now a threat against his life. It was reported the Bohr and his family boarded a small fishing boat bound for Sweden. From which they eventually made their way to the United States. (Aponte, 2015) -
Return to Denmark
At the end of WWII Bohr and his family return to Denmark. There he begins teaching and is again the head of the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics. (Aponte, 2015) -
"Open Letter to the United Nations"
After the end of the war, "Bohr call for peaceful applications of atomic energy. In his "Open Letter to the United Nations," dated June 9, 1950, Bohr envisioned an "open world" mode of existence between countries that abandoned isolationism for true cultural exchange" (Biography.com, 2020). -
"Atoms For Peace"
In 1957 Bohr receives the Atoms for Peace award, "convened by the Ford Foundation to encourage scientific research on the progress of mankind".(Aponte, 2015). This award was give for his momentous efforts to further responsible use of atomic energy. -
The Death of Niels Henrik David Bohr
Niels Henrik David Bohr died in his Carlsberg home, in Copenhagen, Denmark at the age of 77 from a stroke. Up until his death he was very active in the scientific community. "Bohr was a prolific writer with more than 100 publications to his name" (Biography.com). Such works as, Spectra and Atomic Constitution Theory (1922), Light andLlife (1933), Atomic Theory and Description of the Nature (1934) The Mechanism of Nuclear Fission (1939) and Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge (1958).(Aponte, 2015)
