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Bohr's Life
Niels was a Danish physicist who made ground breaking discoveries in quantum physics and contributed to the world of science with his special theory on the atomic structure commonly known as the Bohr Model. -
School
Attended Copenhagen University in England while becoming companions with Ernest Rutherford. Together they studied electrons and other quantum phenomena. -
The Bohr Model - Orbits
Bohr published his theory of the atomic structure (Bohr Model). He proposed in his theory that electrons move in constant speeds around the nucleus in a fixed orbit very similar to how planets orbit the Sun, but not strictly speaking. -
Electrons
Bohr proposed that electrons move in paths around the nucleus while setting off electromagnetic radiation (Forest de Sloper); this meant that the theory of electrons orbiting in perfect motion around the nucleus was false (if it were true, then the electrons would spiral toward the center of the atom and destroy it altogether). -
Bohr's Conclusion
Bohr concluded using very sophisticated mathematics that electrons could jump from position to position, or levels, depending on if they absorb photons (moving inward) or emitting photons (moving outward).
Depicted in the picture provided is Bohr's Model. Notice the different "levels" of which the electrons reside. -
Falsification and Electrons
As discussed earlier, falsification is grave to the advancement of science (Godfrey-Smith). Bohr worked under Rutherford and learned everything he could about Ernest’s infamous gold foil experiment. (The gold foil experiment proved that there was a small massive center to atoms, but it didn’t explain what the electrons actually did)! -
Bohr's Ability to Falsify Ernest Rutherford
Niels Bohr was able to falsify Ernest Rutherford’s theory of an atom’s electrons’ orbit being strictly similar to a planet moving about the Sun by theoretically philosophizing how electrons lose energy by emitting electromagnetic radiation as they orbit around a nucleus (Forest de Sloper). This led to the modern blueprint of the atom as well as the discovery of shells (also known as levels). -
Nobel Prize
Bohr's Model not only further explained quantum theory, it was a direct contribution to his Nobel Prize in 1922. -
Quantum Theory Rises
Niels Bohr’s model was based on quantum theory which describes light as “packets of energy” instead of just waves. Because of this, Bohr was able to describe the spectrum of a Hydrogen atom as having electrons only in “prescribed orbits” (Forest de Sloper). Furthermore, similar to a ladder, electrons can occupy certain steps but never in-between the steps. An electron’s position also depends on if the atom absorbs or emits a photon. -
Bohr's Death
With Bohr's passing, the world lost a scientist and philosopher who forever changed the face of the Quantum realm as well as other fields of study like Chemistry and Biology. -
Significance of Niels Bohr’s Science
The significance of Niels Bohr’s contributions to science will always be understated. There is no way to describe how grave his discoveries were to the advancement of modern civilization. The Bohr Model (which further solidified the quantum world of physics) was also a huge contributor to the world of chemistry and how the objective world around us functions like the organic (and inorganic) machine that it is. -
References and Sources
Niels Bohr’s Model of the Atom: http://www.bookofdaystales.com/niels-bohr/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhAn8xZQ-d8 Works Cited:
Godfrey-Smith, Peter. Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Forest de Sloper, Juan Alejandro. “Niels Bohr.” BOOK OF DAYS TALES, 13 Mar. 2017, www.bookofdaystales.com/niels-bohr/.
