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Bohr’s First Achievement For Science
Niels Bohr began his studies at the University of Copenhagen, in 1903. While there, he received a gold medal from the Academy of Science in 1908, due to Bohr finding the surface tension solution for a long proposed problem. Prior to this achievement he had made theories and even constructed his own experiments within his family’s laboratory. That is when he turned in his essay and received his award. This paved the way and inspired a more theoretical approach in science, for Niels Bohr. -
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The Start of Discovery
While Bohr’s brother had already graduated, Niels remained another nine months to finish. During those nine months, Bohr studied and wrote his thesis on the topic of electron theory of metals. Following his Master’s degree, he expanded on his original topic for his doctoral thesis; In which, he built off of prior theorists, but concluded that the electron theory was unable to support and explain the magnetic behaviors in metals. -
Continued Studies on Particles
By 1911, Bohr had just received his Doctorate’s degree and moved soon after to England. This is where the Cavendish laboratory and the Trinity college, Cambridge resided; he chose this due to it being the prime place where theoretical studies was being done, more specifically the structures of particles, such as, molecules and atoms. However, he continued on to Manchester to follow up his doctoral studies. -
The Bohr Model
Now back in Denmark, Bohr began instructing where he initially graduated, Copenhagen University. This is where he wrote his three famous papers, which are typically referred to as “the trilogy”. In his writing, He used Planck’s quantum theory and Darwins theory to create a model of his own, where electrons can change orbit, the Bohr model.
Reference: Bohr, N. (1913). On the Constitutions of Atoms and Molecules. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science. -
The New Element
At this point in time, Bohr’s model theory was sufficient with the simple elements, but was failing to work with the more complex elements. Since his model wasn’t helpful to him he began working on a newer idea, he made contingent plans in order to produce a theory that would work with the more unique elements. Eventually following his ‘shotgun’ method of approach and supporting evidence from outside sources, he was able to declare the confusing element as a common one. Called hafnium. -
The Noble Prize
With all of Bohr’s contributions, such as, “the trilogy”, new additions within quantum mechanics, and his Model theory; he received the Noble prize in Physics. To the present day, his theory and Correspondence principle, are used in our current known science. -
The Complementarity Principle
Many experiments and theories later, Bohr formulated a new kind of philosophy in quantum mechanics, complementarity. This was the idea that ”particle and wave descriptions of light and of matter are both necessary even though they are logically incompatible” and all of this happens simultaneously, but with different variables.
Lopez, C. (2019). The Complementarity Principle. [online] Available at: https://mappingignorance.org/2016/02/11/the-complementarity-principle -
Introduction of the Liquid Drop Model
Sitting upon the mystery of beta decay the new discovery of the neutron, Bohr created a fitting theory for the find. The compound nucleus theory was then born, stating a nucleus could absorb and be disfigured by it’s neutrons. Then, came nuclear fission and the pieces begun to fall in place, the “dependence of fission cross section for a given nucleus on energy” reduces the atoms stability thus creating the decay.
Bohr, N. (1939). The Mechanism of Nuclear Fission. American Physical Society. -
Devising the Nuclear Weapon
World War II was in full swing at this point, leaving Bohr to flea, as he had Jewish lineage to Europe and then to the US. During this time, he took part in the Atomic Energy Project, creating neutron initiators for the atomic bomb. Despite his part in the building of the bomb, Bohr was insistent to only use his science for good. -
Passing on his Legacy
After the war, Bohr returned to his hometown of Copenhagen. He became president of the Royal danish Academy of arts and sciences and received a reward typically reserved for royalty. He spent the rest of his life cooperating with CERN and chairmen of the NITP. Eventually, he died, leaving behind a prestigious legacy of science and a new standard of philosophical study.
