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Bohr's Development of The Quantum Concept Paradigm
Starting in 1912, Bohr’s first achievement dealing with quantum physics took place during his postdoctoral studies at the University of Manchester, England. Bohr challenged the idea that the atom consisting of heavy positive charged nucleus with lighter negatively charged electrons circling around it. Bohr hypothesized electrons could occupy orbits determined by the quantum of action and electromagnetic radiation from an atom occurred only when an electron jumped to a lower-energy orbit. -
Bohr's Involvement With Nuclear Physics
y the 1930’s, Bohr’s research in theoretical physics drove him to shift the focus from studying the atom to learning more about its nucleus. With the help of Rockefeller Foundation, Bohr, along with Gorge Hevesy and August Krogh, built a cyclotron to further biological studies. Bohr’s intent was to use the cyclotron for nuclear physics but later discovered it could create isotopes of elements, leading them to experimentation with the radioactive indicator method. -
Nuclear Fission
Bohr’s theory of the compound nucleus caused Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman’s discovery that a uranium atom could be split into equal halves when collided with neutrons. By 1939 Bohr assisted the United States in achieving an understanding in nuclear fission, causing a major turn for the allied forces. John A. Wheeler assisted Bohr in his research of fission at Princeton University. -
A Scientific Legacy
Ultimately, Bohr’s work accelerated the United States to become the first country to achieve nuclear weapons capabilities. As for the greater scientific community, Bohr took part in establishing the CERN, the European organization for nuclear research, located in Switzerland. Bohr also had a part in establishing the Nordic institute for Atomic Physics.
