Bohr’s atomic Model

Drawbacks of Rutherford’s atomic model :

1. According to Rutherford’s atomic model, electrons are charged particle accelerating

around the nucleus in a circular path, should emit energy (in the form of electro magnetic
radiation). Thus continuously will loose energy and should jump over the nucleus in a
spiral path and the atom should collapse. [Inability to explain the stability of an atom]

2. According to Rutherford’s atomic model, electrons can revolve round the nucleus in any
orbit. Thus should emit different types of energy at different times. But studying
hydrogen atom, it is found that, it always emits a line spectra. Thus Rutherford’s atomic
model can not explain the origin of (only) line spectra of H atom.

Bohr’s atomic model :

1. According to Bohr’s atomic model, while revolving round the nucleus, an electron does
not radiate any energy in any form. [ Thus the question of loosing energy by an electron
does not come]. Electron only absorbs or radiates energy in the form of quanta (hυ) when
it jumps from one orbit to another. [ It absorbs energy when it jumps to the higher orbit
and it radiates energy when it jumps to the lower orbit.]

Thus, E2 ~ E1 = nhυ Where n is known as quantum No. = 1, 2, 3 … etc.

[Thus the stability of the atom is established]

2. According to Bohr’s atomic model, an electron can revolve around the nucleus in some
permissible orbits known as stationary orbits, which satisfy the following condition.

The angular momentum of electron should be equal to the integral multiply of h/2π
[known as reduced Planck’s constant ≈ ħ].

L=nħ

mvr = nh/2π [ m = mass of an electron, v = linear velocity of an electron,
r = radius of the orbit, h = Planck’s constant]

m (rω) r = nh/2π

mr2ω = nh/2π

Iω = nh/2π [ I = moment of Inertia of an electron (point mass)]

Calculation of Bohr’s radius for H atom:

 v mv2/r

e
Let us consider an electron of
charge e is revolving around
a nucleus of atomic number
Z in a circular path of radius
r with velocity v.

[ Since. i) The electron and the nucleus, both are point masses ii) nucleus is infinitely
heavier than the electron and iii) nucleus is at rest. ]

The centripetal force will be applied due to the Coulomb’s attraction force, which will be
balanced by the centrifugal force. Thus,

mv2/r = 1/(4πε0) Ze2/r2


mω2r = 1/(4πε0) Ze2/r2 [ v = rω]
 2 2 3
ω = 1/(4πε0) Ze /mr ----------------------------------(i)

Again, from Bohr’s atomic model, we get, mr2ω = nh/2π


ω = n h / 2 π m r2

ω2 = n2 h2 /4π2 m2 r4 --------------------------------------(ii)

Comparing (i) and (ii), we get,

1/(4πε0) Ze2/mr3 = n2 h2 /4π2 m2 r4


r = (4πε0) n2 h2 /4π2 m Ze2

or r = ε0 n2 h2 /π m Ze2 ----------------------------------(iii)

For H – atom, n = 1, Z = 1, So,

rH = ε0 h2 /π m e2 ------------------------------------(iv)

Calculation of atomic energy (Energy of an electron revolving round the nucleus) :

The total energy of an electron revolving round the nucleus,
 E = (K.E.) + (P.E.)

E = ½ mv2 + ∫∞r [1/(4πε0) Ze2/r2] dr

E = ½ mr2ω2 + (-1/4πε0) Ze2/r

E = ½ mr2 [1/(4πε0) Ze2/mr3] - 1/(4πε0) Ze2/r [From equation (i)]

E = 1/(4πε0) Ze2/2r - 1/(4πε0) Ze2/r

E = - 1/(4πε0) Ze2/2r

So, Total energy E ∞ - 1/r [Since, the force is conservative in nature]

Putting the value of r from equation (iii), we get,

E = - 2 π 2 m z2 e4/ (4πε0)2 n2 h2

E = - m z2 e4 / 8 ε02 n2 h2 -------------------(v)

For H atom, again n = 1, and Z = 1

So we get, E = - m e4 / 8 ε02 h2 -----------------------------(vi)

Now when an electron jumps from one orbit to another orbit, Let from n 2 to n1, it emits energy E2
and E1 respectively.

So, we get, E2 ~ E1 = m z2 e4 / 8 ε02 h2 [ 1/n22 – 1/n12]


hυ = m z2 e4 / 8 ε02 h2 [ 1/n22 – 1/n12]

hc/λ = m z2 e4 / 8 ε02 h2 [ 1/n22 – 1/n12]

1/λ = m z2 e4 / 8 ε02 h3 c [ 1/n22 – 1/n12]

1/λ = R∞ Z 2 [ 1/n22 – 1/n12] [where, R∞ = m e4 / 8 ε02 h3 c,
known as Rydberg constant, is a constant
for all atoms]

 Is Rydberg constant, a constant for all atoms?

Yes, Rydberg constant R∞ = m e4 / 8 ε02 h3 c is a constant for all atoms, as it depends on
some constant values.

 Here, 1/λ = R∞ Z 2 [ 1/n22 – 1/n12] is known as the wave number having unit m-1. It
determines the number of waves per unit length.

 Drawbacks of Bohr’s atomic model :

1. Bohr’s atomic model is an adhoc model where the classical theory of electrostatics is
mixed up with the quantization of energy of Max Planck without giving any
explanation.
2. Arbitrarily Classical and quantum theories are applied whenever required.
3. The concept of only circular orbit is utterly unjustified. [ Later the elliptical orbit
model was introduced]
4. Only applicable for the H atom (or H type atom), even it can not explain the atomic
theory of singly ionized He atom.
5. It can not explain the electronic spin.
6. Can not explain the origin of fine spectral lines beside the line spectra of H atom.
7. Can not explain Stark effect or Zeeman effect.

[ Balmer Lines, pFund lines, Derivation of Classical theory from Quantum concept =>
Bohr’s correspondence Principle, not included]