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Date of Birth
Dr. Niels Henrik David Bohr was born on 7 October 1885 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the middle child of Christian and Ellen Bohrs. His father, Christian, worked at the University of Copenhagen as a Professor of Physiology and was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize. Little did his father know, his son would follow in his foot steps. Aaserud, Finn. “Niels Bohr.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 Nov. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Niels-Bohr. -
Education
Bohr studied at Copenhagen University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics. He also earned his Master's and Doctor's degree in 1909 and 1911, respectively. Niels Bohr – Biographical. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2020. Sat. 22 Aug 2020. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1922/bohr/biographical/ -
Personal Life
Shortly after earning his Doctorates, Bohr married Margrethe Nørlund how he met two years earlier in 1910. They were married until his death in 1962 and had six sons, unfortunately they lost two during birth. The other four sons lead successful careers. Aage followed his father's foot steps and earned his PH.D. in Theoretical Phsysics. Niels Bohr – Biographical. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2020. Sat. 22 Aug 2020. -
Post Doctoral Research
Bohr traveled to England to research Ernest Rutherford's study of the atom at the University of Manchester. Rutherford had established the proposed structure of the atom. Rutherford believed that an atom had a positively charged nucleus in the center and negative charged electrons circling/spiraling it at various distances. Aaserud, Finn. “Niels Bohr.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 Nov. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Niels-Bohr. -
Bohr's Atom Model
Bohr built upon Rutherford's findings and incorporated quantum theory. In this new model he proposed that electrons orbit the nucleus in a circular manner. He also found that the various orbits were determined by the energy of the electrons and electrons are transferable. Palermo, Elizabeth. “Niels Bohr: Biography & Atomic Theory.” LiveScience, Purch, 29 Aug. 2017, www.livescience.com/32016-niels-bohr-atomic-theory.html. -
Bohr's Atom Model (continued)
Bohr found that atoms may have multiple electron orbits and that the orbits were determined by their energy levels. Bohr was able to come to the conclusion that the number of electrons in the outer orbit of an atom defines the property of an element. He was able to prove this by testing the known elements on the Periodic Table. Learn more about Bohr's Atom Model here: https://youtu.be/S1LDJUu4nko -
Profession
Bohr became a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Copenhagen after holding lectureships at Copenhagen and Victoria Universities. While professing at Copenhagen University he fought tirelessly to establish the Institute for Theoretical Physics, which would later be named after him. Palermo, Elizabeth. “Niels Bohr: Biography & Atomic Theory.” LiveScience, Purch, 29 Aug. 2017, www.livescience.com/32016-niels-bohr-atomic-theory.html. -
Nobel Prize
In 1922, Niels Bohr was a sole recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work identifying the structure of atoms. The Nobel Prize in Physics 1922. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2020. Sun. 23 Aug 2020. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1922/summary/ -
Hafnium
Bohr atomic model and theory were tested by two physicists Hevesy and Coster when they tested an undiscovered atomic element-Hafnium. Their experiment proved Bohr's theory of electrons and their behavior within the atom. The element stand for Copenhagen. Bohr's findings set the ground work for the advancements in physics and chemistry. Aaserud, Finn. “Niels Bohr.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 Nov. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Niels-Bohr. -
Manhattan Project
In 1943 Niels Bohr and his family fled to Sweden due to the Nazi Germans invading Denmark. He was initially recruited to work on the British nuclear weapons development team. Eventually he worked with the United States as a consultant on the infamous Manhattan Project under the pseudonym Nicholas Baker for two years. “Niels Bohr.” Atomic Heritage Foundation, 7 Oct. 1885, www.atomicheritage.org/profile/niels-bohr. -
Passing
Niels Bohr was 77 when he passed away at his Copenhagen home. It is reported that he passed of sudden heart failure. He was survived by his wife Margrethe and children. His work and contributions that he made to the science community will be forever remembered. His RSE Obituary can be found here: https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Obituaries/Bohr_Niels_RSE_Obituary/ -
Bohrium
Niels Bohr made such a huge impact on the scientific community! He has an element named after him--Bohrium. Discovered in 1976. It was labeled as nielsbohrium for a while and had an element symbol of Ns. It is now on the Periodic Table as Bohrium and Atomic Symbol Bh. Staff, Live Science. “Facts About Bohrium.” LiveScience, Purch, 23 Oct. 2013, www.livescience.com/40665-facts-about-bohrium.html.
