PHYSICS CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11:
Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom
(3 Hours)

1
 PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Learning Outcome:
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physic s

11.1 Bohr’s atomic model (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Explain Bohr’s postulates of hydrogen atom.

2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11

11.1 Bohr’s atomic model

11.1.1 Early models of atom
Thomson’s model of atom
 In 1898, Joseph John Thomson suggested a model of an atom
that consists of homogenous positively charged spheres with tiny
negatively charged electrons embedded throughout the sphere
as shown in Figure 11.1.

positively charged electron

sphere

Figure 11.1
 The electrons much likes currants in a plum pudding.
 This model of the atom is called ‘plum pudding’ model of the
3
atom.
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Rutherford’s model of atom
 In 1911, Ernest Rutherford performed a critical experiment that
showed the Thomson’s model is not correct and proposed his
new atomic model known as Rutherford’s planetary model of the
atom as shown in Figure 11.2a.

nucleus
electron

Figure 11.2a
 According to Rutherford’s model, the atom was pictured as
electrons orbiting around a central nucleus which concentrated
of positive charge.
 The electrons are accelerating because their directions are
constantly changing as they circle the nucleus. 4
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 Based on the wave theory, an accelerating charge emits energy.
 Hence the electrons must emit the EM radiation as they revolve
around the nucleus.
 As a result of the continuous loss of energy, the radii of the
electron orbits will be decreased steadily.
 This would lead the electrons spiral and falls into the nucleus,
hence the atom would collapse as shown in Figure 11.2b.

−e
+Ze
‘plop’

energy loss
Figure 11.2b
5
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
11.1.2 Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom
 In 1913, Neils Bohr proposed a new atomic model based on
hydrogen atom.
 According to Bohr’s Model, he assumes that each electron
moves in a circular orbit which is centred on the nucleus,
nucleus
the necessary centripetal force being provided by the
electrostatic force of attraction between the positively
charged nucleus and the negatively charged electron as
shown in Figure 11.3.
−e
 
Fe v
+e
r

Figure 11.3 6
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 On this basis he was able to show that the energy of an
orbiting electron depends on the radius of its orbit.
orbit
 This model has several features which are described by the
postulates (assumptions) stated below :
1. The electrons move only in certain circular orbits, called
STATIONARY STATES or ENERGY LEVELS. LEVELS When it is
in one of these orbits, it does not radiate energy.
energy
2. The only permissible orbits are those in the discrete set
for which the angular momentum of the electron L
equals an integer times h/2π . Mathematically,
nh
L= and L = mvr
2π
nh
mvr = (11.1)
2π
where n : principal quantum number = 1,2 ,3,...
r : radius of the orbit
m : mass of the electron 7
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
3. Emission or absorption of radiation occurs only when an
electron makes a transition from one orbit to another.
another
The frequency f of the emitted (absorbed) radiation is
given by

∆E = hf = Ef − Ei (11.2)

where ∆E : change of energy

h : Planck's constant
Ef : final energy state
Ei : initial energy state
Note:
 If Ef > Ei Absorption of EM radiation
 If Ef < Ei Emission of EM radiation

8
 PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Learning Outcome:
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physic s

11.2 Energy level of hydrogen atom (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Derive Bohr’s radius and energy level in hydrogen atom.
 Use
2 2 h 
rn = n a0 = n  2 
 4π mke 
2

and

ke 2  1 
En = −  2
2 a0 n 
 Define ground state energy, excitation energy and
ionisation energy. 9
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11

11.2 Energy level of hydrogen atom

11.2.1 Bohr’s radius in hydrogen atom
 Consider one electron of charge –e and mass m moves in a

circular orbit of radius r around a positively charged nucleus

with a velocity v as shown in Figure 11.3.
 The electrostatic force between electron and nucleus
contributes the centripetal force as write in the relation below:
electrostatic forceFe = Fc centripetal force
1  Q1Q2  mv 2
 2 = and Q1 = Q2 = e
4π ε0  r  r
2
e
mv 2 = (11.3)
4π ε0 r

10
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 From the Bohr’s second postulate:
nh
mvr =
2π
By taking square of both side of the equation, we get
2 2
2 2 2 n h
m v r = (11.4)
4π 2
 By dividing the eqs. (11.4) and (11.3), thus
 n2h2 
 
m 2 v 2 r 2  4π 
2
=
mv 2
 e2 
 
 4π εr 
 0 
electrostatic
n 2 h 2ε 0 1 constant
r= and ε0 =
me 2π 4πk
11
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
n2h2  1 
r= 2  
me π  4πk 
 h 2

rn = n  2
2
; n = 1,2,3...
2  (11.5)
 4π mke 
which rn is radii of the permissible orbits for the Bohr’s atom.
 Eq. (11.5) can also be written as

rn = n 2 a0 (11.6)

and

h2
a0 =
4π 2 mke 2
where a0 is called the Bohr’s radius of hydrogen atom.
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PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 The Bohr’s radius is defined as the radius of the most stable
(lowest) orbit or ground state (n=1) in the hydrogen atom
and its value is

a0 =
(6.63 ×10 )−34 2

4π 2
(9.11×10 )(9.00 ×10 )(1.60 ×10 )
−31 9 −19 2

a0 = 5.31 × 10 −11 m OR 0.531 Å (angstrom)

 Unit conversion:
1 Å = 1.00 × 10−10 m
 The radii of the orbits associated with allowed orbits or states
n = 2,3,… are 4a0,9a0,…, thus the orbit’s radii are
quantized.
quantized

13
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
11.2.2 Energy level in hydrogen atom
 is defined as a fixed energy corresponding to the orbits in
which its electrons move around the nucleus.
nucleus
 The energy levels of atoms are quantized.
quantized
 The total energy level E of the hydrogen atom is given by

E =U + K (11.7)
Kinetic energy of the electron
Potential energy of the electron
 Potential energy U of the electron is given by

kQ1Q2
U= where Q1 = e; Q2 = −e and r = n 2 a0
r
ke 2 nucleus electron
U =− 2 (11.8)
n a0
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PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 Kinetic energy K of the electron is given by
2
1 2 e
K = mv but mv 2 =
2 4π ε0 r
1  e2  1
K=    where = k and r = n 2
a0

2  4π ε0 r  4π ε0
1  ke 2 
K =  2  (11.9)
2  n a0 
 Therefore the eq. (11.7) can be written as
ke 2 1  ke 2 
En = − 2 +  2 
n a0 2  n a 0 
ke 2  1 
En = −  2 (11.10)
2 a0  n  15
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 In general, the total energy level E for the atom is
ke 2  Z 2 
En = −  2 (11.11)
2a0  n 
where Z : atomic number
 Using numerical value of k, e and a0, thus the eq. (11.10) can be
written as
=−
( 9
)(
9.00 × 10 1.60 × 10 −19 2
)
 1 
 2
En
(
2 5.31 × 10 −11
) n 
2.17 × 10 −18  1 
=− −19
eV 2 
1.60 × 10 n 
13.6
En = − 2 eV; n = 1,2,3,... (11.12)
n
th
Note: where E n : energy level of n state (orbit)

Eqs. (11.10) and (11.12) are valid for energy level of the hydrogen atom.
atom
16
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 The negative sign in the eq. (11.12) indicates that work has to
be done to remove the electron from the bound of the atom
to infinity,
infinity where it is considered to have zero energy.
energy
 The energy levels of the hydrogen atom are when
n=1, the ground state (the state of the lowest energy level)
level ;
13.6
E1 = − eV = −13.6 eV
(1) 2
13.6
state E2 = −
n=2, the first excited state; eV = −3.40 eV
( 2) 2

13.6
state E3 = −
n=3, the second excited state; eV = −1.51 eV
( 3) 2

13.6
state E4 = −
n=4, the third excited state; eV = −0.85 eV
n=∞ , the energy level is ( 4) 2

13.6 electron is completely

E∞ = − eV = 0
( ∞) 2 removed from the atom.
atom
17
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 Figure 11.4 shows diagrammatically the various energy levels in
the hydrogen atom.
n En (eV )
Figure 11.4 ∞ 0.0 Free electron

5 − 0.54 4th excited state

4 − 0.85 3rd excited state
3 − 1.51 2nd excited state excited state
Ionization energy
is defined as the
energy required 2 is defined as
− 3.40 1 excited state
st
the energy
by an electron in
the ground state levels that
to escape Excitation energy higher than
completely from is defined as the energy the ground
the attraction of required by an electron that state.
the nucleus. raises it to an excited state
is defined as the
from its ground state.
lowest stable
An atom energy state of
becomes ion. 1 − 13.6 Ground state an atom. 18
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Example 1 :
The electron in the hydrogen atom makes a transition from the
energy state of −0.54 eV to the energy state of −3.40 eV. Calculate
the wavelength of the emitted photon.
(Given the speed of light in the vacuum, c =3.00× 108 m s−1 and
Planck’s constant, h =6.63× 10−34 J s)
Solution : Ei = −0.54 eV; Ef = −3.40 eV
The change of the energy state in joule is given by
∆E = E f − E i ∆E = ( − 3.40) − ( − 0.54)
(
= ( 2.86) 1.60 × 10 −19 )
∆E = 4.58 × 10 −19 J
Therefore the wavelength of the emitted photon is

∆E =
hc
4.58 × 10 −19 =
( 6.63 × 10 )(3.00 × 10 )
−34 8

λ λ
−7
λ = 4.34 × 10 m 19
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Example 2 :
The lowest energy state for hydrogen atom is −13.6 eV. Determine
the frequency of the photon required to ionize the atom.
(Given the speed of light in the vacuum, c =3.00× 108 m s−1 and
Planck’s constant, h =6.63× 10−34 J s)
Solution : Ei = −13.6 eV; Ef = E∞ = 0
The ionization energy in joule is given by
∆E = E f − E i ∆E = ( 0 ) − ( − 13.6 )
(
= (13.6 ) 1.60 × 10 −19 )
∆E = 2.18 × 10 −18 J
Therefore the frequency of the photon required to ionize the atom is
∆E = hf
(
2.18 × 10 −18 = 6.63 × 10 −34 f )
f = 3.29 × 1015 Hz
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PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Example 3 :
For an electron in a hydrogen atom characterized by the principal
quantum number n=2, calculate
a. the orbital radius,
b. the speed,
c. the kinetic energy.
(Given c =3.00× 108 m s−1, h =6.63× 10−34 J s, me=9.11× 10−31 kg;
e=1.60× 10−19 C and k=9.00× 109 N m2 C−2)
Solution : n = 2
a. The orbital radius of the electron in the hydrogen atom for n=2
level is given by
 h 2

rn = n  2
2

2 
 4π mke 
r2 = ( 2 ) 
2
 ( 6.63 × 10 )
− 34 2 

( )( )( )2
 4π 2 9.11 × 10 −31 9.00 × 109 1.60 × 10 −19 
r2 = 2.12 × 10 −10 m 21
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Solution : n = 2
b. By applying the Bohr’s 2nd postulate, thus
nh
mvrn =
2π
2h
mvr2 =
2π
(9.11×10 ) ( )
−34
− 31 6 . 63 × 10
v 2.12 × 10 −10 =
π 6
v = 1.09 × 10 m s −1
c. The kinetic energy of the orbiting electron is given by
1 2
K = mv
2
1
( )(
= 9.11 × 10 −31 1.09 × 106
2
) 2

K = 5.41 × 10 −19 J 22
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Example 4 :
A hydrogen atom emits radiation of wavelengths 221.5 nm and
202.4 nm when the electrons make transitions from the 1st excited
state and 2nd excited state respectively to the ground state.
Calculate
a. the energy of a photon for each of the wavelengths above,
b. the wavelength emitted by the photon when the electron makes a
transition from the 2nd excited state to the 1st excited state.
(Given the speed of light in the vacuum, c =3.00× 108 m s−1 and
Planck’s constant, h =6.63× 10−34 J s)
−9 −9
Solution : λ1 = 221.5 × 10 m; λ2 = 202.4 × 10 m
a. The energy of the photon due to transition from 1st excited state

( 6.63 × 10 )(3.00 × 10 )
to the ground state is
−34 8
hc
∆E1 = ∆E1 =
λ1 221.5 × 10 −9
∆E1 = 8.98 × 10 −19 J 23
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Solution : λ1 = 221.5 × 10 −9 m; λ2 = 202.4 × 10 −9 m
a. The energy of the photon due to transition from 2nd excited state
to the ground state is
∆E2 =
( 6.63 × 10 )( 3.00 × 10 )
−34 8

202.4 × 10 −9
∆E2 = 9.83 × 10 −19 J
b. 2nd excited state
ΔE3
1st excited state
ΔE1 ΔE2
Ground state
∆E3 = ∆E2 − ∆E1 ∆E3 = 9.83 × 10 −19 − 8.98 × 10 −19
∆E3 = 8.50 × 10 −20 J
Therefore the wavelength of the emitted photon due to the
transition from 2nd excited state to the 1st excited state is

∆E 3 =
hc
8.50 × 10 − 20 =
( 6.63 × 10 )( 3.00 × 10 )
−34 8

λ3 λ
−6 3
λ3 = 2.34 × 10 m 24
 PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Learning Outcome:
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physic s

11.3 Line spectrum (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Explain the emission of line spectrum by using energy
level diagram.
 State the line series of hydrogen spectrum.
 Use formula,
1 ∆E
=
λ hc

25
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11

11.3 Line spectrum

 The emission lines correspond to the photons of discrete
energies that are emitted when excited atomic states in the gas
make transitions back to lower energy levels.
 Figure 11.5 shows line spectra produced by emission in the
visible range for hydrogen (H), mercury (Hg) and neon (Ne).

Figure 11.5
26
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
11.3.1 Hydrogen emission line spectrum
 Emission processes in hydrogen give rise to series, which are
sequences of lines corresponding to atomic transitions.
 The series in the hydrogen emission line spectrum are
 Lyman series involves electron transitions that end at the
ground state of hydrogen atom.
atom It is in the ultraviolet
(UV) range.
range
 Balmer series involves electron transitions that end at
the 1st excited state of hydrogen atom.
atom It is in the visible
light range.
range
 Paschen series involves electron transitions that end at
the 2nd excited state of hydrogen atom.
atom It is in the infrared
(IR) range.
range
 Brackett series involves electron transitions that end at
the 3rd excited state of hydrogen atom.
atom It is in the IR
range.
range
 Pfund series involves electron transitions that end at the
4th excited state of hydrogen atom.
atom It is in the IR range.
range27
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 Figure 11.6 shows diagrammatically the series of hydrogen
emission line spectrum.
n En (eV )
Figure 11.6 ∞ 0.0 Free electron

5 − 0.54 4th excited state

4 Pfund series
− 0.85 3rd excited state
Brackett series −1.51 nd
3 2 excited state
Paschen series

2 − 3.39 1st excited state

Balmer series

Lyman series
Stimulation 11.1
1 −13 .6 Ground state 28
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
 Figure 11.7 shows “permitted” orbits of an electron in the Bohr
model of a hydrogen atom.

Picture 11.1
29
Figure 11.6: not to scale
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
11.3.2 Wavelength of hydrogen emission line
spectrum
 If an electron makes a transition from an outer orbit of level ni to
an inner orbit of level nf, thus the energy is radiated.
 The energy radiated in form of EM radiation (photon) where
the wavelength is given by
hc 1 ∆E
∆E = = (11.13)
λ λ hc
 From the Bohr’s 3rd postulate, the eq. (11.13) can be written as
1 1 ke 2  1 
= × Enf − Eni where Enf = −
λ hc 2a0  nf 2 
ke 2  1 
and Eni = −
2a0  ni 2 
30
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
1 1  ke 2  1   ke 2  1 
= × −   − −  
λ hc 2 a n 2  2 a n2 
 0  f    0  i 
1 ke 2  1 1 
= ×− − 2
hc 2a0  nf 2
ni 
ke 2  1 1  ke 2
= − 2 and = RH

2hca0  nf 2
ni  2hca0

1  1 1 
= RH  2 − 2  (11.14)
λ  nf ni 
where RH : Rydberd's constant = 1.097 × 10 7 m −1
nf : final value of n
ni : initial value of n 31
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Note:
 For the hydrogen line spectrum,
1 1 1 
Lyman series( nf=1 ) = RH  2 − 2 
λ 1 ni 

1  1 1 
Balmer series( nf=2 ) = RH  2 − 2 
λ 2 ni 

1  1 1 
Paschen series( nf=3 ) = RH  2 − 2 
λ 3 ni 

1  1 1 
Brackett series( nf=4 ) 
= RH 2 − 2
λ 4 n 
 i 

1  1 1 
Pfund series( nf=5 ) 
= RH 2 − 2
λ 5 n 
 i 
 series take ni=∞ .
To calculate the shortest wavelength in any series,
32
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
11.3.3 Limitation of Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom
 The Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom
 predicts successfully the energy levels of the hydrogen atom
but fails to explain the energy levels of more complex
atoms.
atoms
 can explain the spectrum for hydrogen atom but some
details of the spectrum cannot be explained especially
when the atom is placed in a magnetic field.
field
 cannot explain the Zeeman effect (Figure 11.7).
 Zeeman effect is defined as the splitting of spectral
lines when the radiating atoms are placed in a
magnetic field.
2
Energy Levels
Transitions
1
Spectra
Figure 11.7 No magnetic field Magnetic field 33
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Example 5 :
The Balmer series for the hydrogen atom corresponds to electronic
transitions that terminate at energy level n=2 as shown in the
Figure 11.8. n En (eV )
∞ 0.0
6 − 0.38
5 − 0.54
4 − 0.85
3 −1.51

2 − 3.40
Calculate Figure 11.8
a. the longest wavelength, and
b. the shortest wavelength of the photon emitted in this series.
(Given the speed of light in the vacuum c =3.00× 108 m s−1 ,Planck’s
constant h =6.63× 10−34 J s and Rydberg’s constant RH = 1.097 × 107
m−1) 34
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Solution : nf = 2
a. The longest wavelength of the photon results due to the electron
transition from n = 3 to n = 2 (Balmer series). Thus
1 ∆E 1  1 1 
= OR = RH  2 − 2 
λ hc λ n n 
 f i 

E f − Ei
1
λ
=
hc
1
λmax
( )
7  1 1
= 1.097 × 10  2 − 2 
2 3 
1 E 2 − E3 λ = 6 . 56 × 10 −7
m
= max
λmax hc

=
(
( − 3.40) − ( − 1.51) × 1.60 × 10 −19)
( )(
6.63 × 10 −34 3.00 × 108 )
λmax = 6.58 × 10 −7 m
35
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Solution : nf = 2
b. The shortest wavelength of the photon results due to the electron
transition from n = ∞ to n = 2 (Balmer series). Thus
1 E f − Ei 1 E 2 − E∞
= =
λ hc λmin hc
=
(
( − 3.40) − ( 0) × 1.60 × 10 −19 )
(6.63 ×10 )(3.00 ×10 )
− 34 8

λmin = 3.66 × 10 −7 m
1  1 1 
OR = RH  2 − 2 
λ n n 
 f i 
1
λmin
( )
7  1 1 
= 1.097 × 10  2 − 2 
∞ 
2
λmin = 3.65 × 10 −7 m
36
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Example 6 :
Determine the wavelength for a line spectrum in Lyman series
when the electron makes a transition from n=3 level.
(Given Rydberg’s constant ,RH = 1.097 × 107 m−1)
Solution : ni = 3 ; nf = 1
By applying the equation of wavelength for Lyman series, thus
1 1 1 
= RH  2 − 2 
λ 1 n 
 i 

( 1 1
7
)
= 1.097 × 10  2 − 2 
1 3 
λ = 1.03 × 10 −7 m

37
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11
Exercise 11.1 :
Given c =3.00× 108 m s−1, h =6.63× 10−34 J s, me=9.11× 10−31 kg,
e=1.60× 10−19 C and RH =1.097× 107 m−1
1. A hydrogen atom in its ground state is excited to the n =5
level. It then makes a transition directly to the n =2 level
before returning to the ground state. What are the
wavelengths of the emitted photons?
(College Physics, 6th edition, Wilson, Buffa & Lou, Q66, p.875)
ANS. : 4.34× 10−7 m; 1.22× 10−7 m
2. Show that the speeds of an electron in the Bohr orbits are
given ( to two significant figures) by

vn =
( 2.2 × 10 6
m s −1 )
n
(College Physics, 6th edition, Wilson, Buffa & Lou, Q66, p.875)

38
PHYSICS CHAPTER 11

Next Chapter…
CHAPTER 12 :
X-rays

39