The Bohr Model of the Atom | Show Me The Physics

The Bohr Model of the Atom lesson illustration

What color does Lithium Chloride burn when ignited?

The Science of Fireworks
at the Franklin Institute

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Early 1900's - Danish scientist Neils Bohr
discovers the strange behavior of electrons.

Niels Bohr (1885-1962): portrait, the Bohr model of the atom, quantum energy jumps E=hf, and his life story

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B) Bohr Model of Atom

1:15 Bohr Model

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The Bohr Model of the Atom lesson illustration

Electrons in atoms
are restricted in the energies they can possess,
give off and absorb.

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Hypothetical Element X

Excited Electron

Energy of 12 eV

Excited Electron

Energy of 4 eV

Ground State

Energy of 1 eV

When electron falls back to ground state, what energies
is it capable of giving off?

Answer

8 eV, 3 eV, 11 eV

(the difference between
each possible energy level)

1 eV = 1.6 x 10^-19 J
p. 1 Reference

Each energy transition produces only
one photon

Check Your Understanding

5 quick questions — pick an answer to see if you’re right.

1. What did Bohr's model say about the energies of electrons in atoms?

2. Element X has energy levels of 1 eV (ground), 4 eV and 12 eV. Which photon energy could it emit?

3. How many photons are produced by a single energy-level transition?

4. Convert 2.0 eV to joules. (1 eV = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ J)

5. Fireworks of different elements burn with different colors. According to Bohr, why?