Niels Bohr

By Emmuff

  • Birth

    Birth
    Niels Bohr was born in Copenhagen to his father, Christian Bohr, who was a professor of Physiology at the University of Copenhagen.1

  • Bohr Model

    Bohr Model
    A more specific version of physicist Ernest Rutherford's model of the atom, which included electrons floating in a cloud around a dense electronically charged nucleus(2), Bohr's atomic model suggested that the electrons of an atom orbit the nucleus similar to the planets of our solar system(2). While this model is not the standard atomic model used today, the basis of which is used in teaching classrooms all over.

  • Quantum Application

    Quantum Application
    While Bohr's atomic model may not be the most used today, his theory on how quantum physics plays a role, is. Bohr explained that electrons "can only occupy specific orbits of fixed energy at set distances from the nucleus...and while jumping from one allowed orbit to another, [electrons] absorb or emit electromagnetic radiation"(2).

  • Nobel Prize

    Nobel Prize
    Bohr was recognized and received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theory of the structure of the atom; which became known as the "Bohr Model"(3).

  • Complementarity Principle

    Complementarity Principle
    The Complementarity Principle that Bohr suggested, was that depending on the scientific experiment, subatomic particles, such as electrons can exhibit behavior that is either wave-like or particle-like. Though both behaviors cannot happen at the same time(4).

  • Atomic Physics

    Atomic Physics
    Neils Bohr was actually apart of the Manhattan Project, which was a developmental and research project during World War II that was focused on the construction of nuclear weapons. However, Bohr was very vocal about his desire for peaceful use of atomic physics, and thus later received the first Atoms for Peace Award in 1957(5).

  • Death

    Death
    After traveling around the world, he passed away in his place of birth: Copenhagen.1