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Niels Bohr Born October 7, 1885 Copenhagen, Denmark
Niels Bohr was born on October 7, 1885, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Bohr’s parents, Christian Bohr and Ellen Adler were both educated and established individuals. Ellen was the daughter of a Jewish Politician. Christian Bohr worked as an accomplished Doctor of Physiology who later became a Professor at the University of Copenhagen in 1885. Bohr's home life alongside his siblings, Harald and Jenny, was intellectually stimulating due to their early exposure to academics and debate. -
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Niels Bohr 10/7/1885 - 11/18/1962
This Timeline, describes the early life, education, and contributions of the Atomic Physicist, Niels Bohr in the various fields of science encompassing Chemistry, Physics, and the world's understanding of the concepts of the atom. -
Niels Bohr's Early Education - 1891-1903
Bohr began his early education at Grammelholms School in 1891. He proved to be quite an outstanding soccer player and scholar. As Bohr progressed through his curriculum, he stood out amongst his peers with little effort or display of grandiose behavior. At times, Bohr would place 3rd in his class out of 20 students. Prior to graduation, established his studies in Physics and Mathematics. In 1903, Bohr completed his student entry exam for Copenhagen University. -
Niels Bohr - Early Exploration of Atomic Theory 1903-1911
Niels Bohr matriculated into Copenhagen University in 1903. Here he worked closely with J.J. Thompson, the discoverer of the electron, and developed a foundational understanding of Physics. Bohr later earned his master’s degree in 1909. In 1911, he earned his Doctorate as a result of his thesis on, "*Studies on the Electron Theory of Metals". It was at Copenhagen University that Bohr established his interests in atomic theory alongside J.J. Thompson. -
Niels Bohr & Ernest Rutherford Atomic Structure 1911-1912
Soon after receiving his Doctorate in 1911, Niels Bohr matriculated at Cambridge University, where he studied as a pupil under Ernest Rutherford. Rutherford, like J.J. Thompson, was an established physicist in atomic theory, who discovered the nucleic structure of the atom. In 1912, While exploring atomic structure, Bohr discovered flaws in Einstein and Planck's theories on radiation. Bohr used Planck's theory as a model to revolutionize the mechanics of the atom. -
Niels Bohr Revolutionizing the Atomic Structure -1912
Niels Bohr's continued his studies in quantum theory and revolutionized Rutherford's theory of atomic structure by explaining the movement, energy emission, and placement of electrons within the atomic structure. A feat that classical Physics was unable to reveal through Einstein and Plank's theories presented in the early 1900s. -
Nobel Prize Structure of Atoms - 1922
Niels Bohr received the Nobel Prize for his model and theory on the structure of atoms in 1922. He was the first to discover the movement of electrons around the nucleus of an atom. Bohr's model serves as a template for understanding the structure of atoms today. -
Niels Bohr announces Nuclear Fission - January 26, 1939
George Washington University hosted its Fifth Washington Conference in Theoretical Physics on January 26, 1939. Niels Bohr revealed the scientific feat and concept of nuclear fission, better known as the splitting of the atom. This concept would soon develop into the pursuit of atomic weapons birthed from nuclear fission. -
Niels Bohr Nuclear Fission & the Manhattan Project - 1943-1945
During the events of World War II, Denmark was no longer safe for Bohr as a result of the rising calamities generated by Nazi Germany. As a result, he was transported out of Denmark into the United States. Bohr later aided the US in the research and development of atomic weaponry in Los Alamos, Mexico. Otherwise known as, The Manhattan Project which yielded the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945. -
Niels Bohr Atoms for Peace Award – October 24, 1957
Following the events of WWII and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, The pursuit of atomic peace and anti-proliferation of atomic weapons was ushered in to promote world peace. As a result of this movement, Niels Bohr was awarded the “Atoms for Peace” Award as a known supporter in the campaign towards atomic weapons control in 1957 following his previous involvement with creating the weapon in the 1940s. -
Death of Niels Bohr
Niels Bohr died on November 18, 1962, as an established leader in Atomic Theory, Physics, Chemistry, and Anti weapons activist. His contributions in these fields hold as a model for present-day technological advancements and theories.