In 1913, physicist Nels Bohr published a series of three papers, now known as Bohr’s trilogy. In these documents, Bohr found himself in major disagreement with a former professor, Sir J.J. Thomson. Explain how Bohr’s atomic model varied so much from all the previous proposed atomic models, and explain why Bohr’s model is no longer the standard.
A Danish physicist named Neil Bohr in 1913 proposed the Bohr atomic model. He modified the problems and limitations associated with Rutherford’s model of an atom. Earlier in Rutherford Model, Rutherford explained in an atom a nucleus is positively charged and is surrounded by electrons.
The electrons move around in a predictable path called orbits. Bohr modified Rutherford’s model where he explained that electrons move around in fixed orbital shells. Furthermore, he explained that each orbital shell has fixed energy levels. Therefore, Rutherford basically explained a nucleus of an atom whereas Bohr took the model one step ahead. He explained about electrons and the different energy levels associated with it.
According to Bohr Atomic model, a small positively charged nucleus is surrounded by revolving negatively charged electrons in fixed orbits. He concluded that electron will have more energy if it is located away from the nucleus whereas the electrons will have less energy if it located near the nucleus.
The main problem lies in the idea of electrons in circular orbits. This does not satisfy the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which is that it is not possible to know the position and momentum of a particle simultaneously. And also, it does not satisfy the fact that atoms have a 3D formation. If the orbitals are circular, the 3D structure of an atom is not probable.
In 1913, physicist Nels Bohr published a series of three papers, now known as Bohr’s trilogy....