The Bohr model of the hydrogen atom

Rutherford's Model of the Atom (recap)

In 1911, Ernst Rutherford proposed his orbital model of small, central positively charged nucleus, surrounded by electrons in circular orbits. [Review this part from Phy 2.5]
James Maxwell had shown previously that an accelerating charge must radiate electromagnetic energy.
The Rutherford model is unstable as the electron has a centripetal acceleration and should spiral into the nucleus, emitting photons of all energy size.

Bohr's Model of the Hydrogen Atom

Niels Bohr's modified version of the Rutherford atom where the electron in the hydrogen atom:

can move in certain allowed orbits (called states) without radiating energy.
emits a photo when it jumps from a higher energy state to a lower one.
absorbs a photo when it jumps from a lower energy state to a higher one.

The states are numbered from the lowest energy state 1 nearest the nucleus, progressively through higher states.

Video 1: The Bohr Atom

In this video Paul Andersen describes the major parts of an atom and explains how the Bohr Model more accurately represents the location of electrons around the nucleus. Niels Bohr refined the Rutherford model to account for spectra.

Video 2: Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom

Why don't protons and electrons just slam into each other and explode? Why do different elements emit light of different colors? Niels Bohr knew why. And now you will too!
Energy States of the Bohr Model
First Three Series of Hydrogen Spectra:
- Lyman - ultraviolet
- Balmer - visible light
- Paschen - infrared

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