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Niels Bohr Birth and early life
Niels Bohr was born in Copenhagen where he was raised in a middle-class family. His father was a professor of physiology nominated for two Nobel Prizes. Niels went on to earn his doctorate in 1911 studying physics. “Niels Bohr: At the Crossroads of History.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuOs25Qus2I. Accessed 26 Nov. 2022. -
Professor in Theoretical Physics
In 1916 Bohr began working as a professor at the University of Copenhagen. During his time here Bohr was able to push the importance of theoretical physics leading to a permanent Institute of Physics being built at the university. This expansion of the institute enabled students and professors to test their theories and propose new ideas. -
Bohr Atomic Model
Bohr's first major ideas in science were seen as radical to most physicist. He found "that electrons could only occupy particular orbits determined by the quantum of action and that electromagnetic radiation from an atom occurred only when an electron jumped to a lower-energy orbit." (Aaserud, 2022). Aaserud, Finn. "Niels Bohr". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Nov. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Niels-Bohr. Accessed 25 November 2022. -
Periodic Table and Nobel Prize
Throughout his time as a professor, Bohr made significant contributions to the periodic table. The Nobel prize was awarded to him in 1922 for his model on atomic theory. His model led to our ability to predict atomic element's behavior. -
Atomic Physics
Bohr's theory on the compound nucleus was paramount in the discovery of splitting the atom. Taking his theory further he was able to aid in explaining fission theoretically. He did believe an atomic bomb was unlikely to be constructed until after WWII but was very wrong in this regard. -
Death
Neils Bohr died in 1962 leaving us his work and institute to build off of his work.