Chapter 5

The Bohr Model of the Atom

5.1 Line Spectra

When solids are heated, they emit radiation in which all wavelengths are
present though with different intensities. This is because we are witnessing Niels Henrik David Bohr
(1885-1962) was the Dan-
the collective behavior of a great many interacting atoms rather than the ish physicist whose investi-
characteristic behavior of the individual atoms of a particular element. But gations of atomic structure
in rarefied gas, since the atoms are far apart, the emitted radiation reflects earned him the 1922 No-
bel Prize for physics. Bohr
the characteristic of the individual atoms or molecules present. When a low- attended the University of
pressure gas is excited, say by an electric discharge, the emitted radiation has Copenhagen (1903-11), then
studied for a time under
a spectrum which contains certain discrete wavelengths only. The resulting Ernest Rutherford. In 1920
pattern of light bands and dark areas is called a line spectrum. It has been he became the first direc-
tor of the Institute of The-
known that all elements produce unique line spectrum of their own when oretical Physics. Bohr’s In-
burned in a flame or when excited in an electric discharge. This fact made stitute became a gathering
optical spectroscopy an important area for analyzing the composition of place for the world’s top
physicists, and he is con-
an unknown substance. An empirical formula was found that specifies the sidered one of the foremost
wavelength in the hydrogen spectral lines: scientists of modern physics,
along with Albert Einstein,
Erwin Schrödinger and En-
rico Fermi. During World
 
1 1 1
=R 2
− 2 (5.1) War II he left Denmark
λ k n in 1943 and ended up in
the United States and was
sent to Los Alamos, New
where R = 1.096776 × 107 m−1 is the Rydberg Constant and n = k + 1, k + Mexico to join Robert Op-
2, . . . penheimer and others work-
ing to develop the atomic
bomb. After the war he
Table: Hydrogen Series of Spectral Lines returned to Denmark and
Discoverer (year) Wavelength k n spent the rest of his career
Lyman (1916) ultraviolet 1 2, 3, 4, . . . advocating the peaceful uses
of atomic energy. One of
Balmer (1885) visible, ultraviolet 2 3, 4, 5, . . . Bohr’s most famous students
Paschen (1908) infrared 3 4, 5, 6, . . . was Werner Heisenberg, the
Brackett(1922) infrared 4 5, 6, 7, . . . physicist who went on to lead
Nazi Germany’s attempt to
Pfund (1924) infrared 5 6, 7, 8, . . . develop the atomic bomb.

1
 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.1. LINE SPECTRA Applied Modern Physics

Figure 5.1: Schematic of an Optical Spectrometry

Example 5.1 Show that the lines in the Lyman and Paschen series are in ul-
traviolet and infrared regions respectively. Also, find the wavelengths of the four
visible atomic hydrogen lines of the Balmer series. (visible light: 400 nm ≤ λ ≤
700 nm, ultraviolet : λ < 400 nm, inf rared : λ > 700 nm)
Solution:
For the Lyman series: k = 1, n = 2, 3, 4, . . .
 
1 1
=R 1− 2
λ n
ˆ Longest wavelength (smallest photon energy) occurs for n = 2:
 
1 1
=R 1− 2 ⇒ λ = 1.21568 × 10−7 m = 121.6 nm
λ 2

ˆ Shortest wavelength (series limit) occurs for n → ∞:

 
1 1
= R 1 − 2 = R(1 − 0) ⇒ λ = 91.2 nm
λ ∞

So Lyman series range: λ ∈ [91.2 nm, 121.6 nm], which is entirely less than
400 nm, hence ultraviolet. ◀

For the Paschen series: k = 3, n = 4, 5, 6, . . .

 
1 1 1
=R − 2
λ 9 n
ˆ Longest wavelength occurs for n = 4:
 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 1876 nm
λ 9 4

Murad Ridwan, PhD 2 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.1. LINE SPECTRA Applied Modern Physics

ˆ Shortest wavelength occurs for n → ∞:

 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 820.59 nm
λ 9 ∞

So Paschen series range: λ ∈ [820.59 nm, 1876 nm], which is entirely greater
than 700 nm, hence infrared. ◀

For the Balmer series: k = 2, n = 3, 4, 5, 6, . . .

 
1 1 1
=R − 2
λ 4 n
ˆ For n = 3:
 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 656.47 nm ◀
λ 4 3

Color : Red (Hα)

ˆ For n = 4:
 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 486.27 nm ◀
λ 4 4

Color : Blue-green (Hβ)

ˆ For n = 5:
 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 434.17 nm ◀
λ 4 5

Color : Violet (Hγ)

ˆ For n = 6:
 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 410.29 nm ◀
λ 4 6

Color : Violet (Hδ)

ˆ For n = 7:
 
1 1 1
=R − 2 ⇒ λ = 397.12 nm
λ 4 7

This is slightly below 400 nm (borderline near-UV), so often only n =

3, 4, 5, 6 are counted as visible. ◀

Exercise 5.1 Explain the fundamental difference between the spectrum of light
emitted by a hot, dense solid (like a lightbulb filament) and the spectrum emitted
by a low-pressure, excited gas.

Exercise 5.2 Why is optical spectroscopy a useful tool for determining the
elemental composition of an unknown substance?

Murad Ridwan, PhD 3 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.2. BOHR MODEL OF THE ATOM Applied Modern Physics

Exercise 5.3 Identify the series in the hydrogen spectrum (Lyman, Balmer,
Paschen, etc.) that is primarily responsible for the lines we see in the visible region
of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Exercise 5.4 A spectral line from hydrogen is observed to have a wavelength of

1282 nm.
(a) Calculate the value of 1/λ and use the Rydberg formula to determine which
series (Lyman, Balmer, Paschen, etc.) this line belongs to. (Hint: Try
different integer values for k to see which one fits.)
(b) What are the initial (n) and final (k) energy levels for the electron transition
that produces this photon?
Exercise 5.5 The energy of a photon is given by E = hc/λ, where h is Planck’s
constant
(a) Calculate the energy (in Joules) of the photon corresponding to the first line
of the Lyman series (n = 2 to k = 1).
(b) Compare this energy to that of a photon from the first line of the Paschen
series (n = 4 to k = 3). Which photon has higher energy? Explain why this
makes sense based on the wavelengths of these series.

5.2 Bohr Model of the Atom

The basic postulates of Bohr’s theory are a combination of the ideas of
classical physics and Planck’s quantum theory of radiation.
The three postulates of Bohr’s theory are:
1. Electrons revolve around the nucleus of an atom in a non-radiating
stationary orbits. The dynamical equilibrium of the system is governed
by the classical laws of physics, i.e.
mv 2 1 e2
= mrω 2 = (5.2)
r 4πεo r2
2. Only those orbits are possible for which the angular momentum of the
h
electron is an integral multiple of ℏ(= 2π ). i.e.
mvrn = mωrn2 = nℏ (5.3)
where n is an integer. In other words, angular momentum is quantized
in those orbits.
3. Emission or absorption of energy occurs only in conjunction with a
transition between two states. The frequency of the emitted or ab-
sorbed radiation is proportional to the difference in energy of the two
stationary states.
E = Ei − Ef = hf (5.4)

Murad Ridwan, PhD 4 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.3. ENERGY LEVELS AND SPECTRA Applied Modern Physics

5.3 Energy Levels and Spectra

From Bohr’s assumption, angular momentum is quantized;
L = |r × p|
∴ mvrn = nℏ
n is called the principal quantum number.
nℏ
v= (5.5)
mrn
From (5.2) and (5.5),
1 e2 n2 ℏ2
v2 = = 2 2
4πεo mrn m rn

4πεo ℏ2 2
∴ rn = n ≡ ao n2 (5.6)
me2

ao is called the Bohr radius for hydrogen atom. r1 = ao = 0.529×10−10 m =

0.529Å. This is the known size of the hydrogen atom!
Energies of the stationary states (5.4) are:

e2 e2 Eo
En = − =− ≡− 2 (5.7)
8πεo rn 8πεo ao n2 n

The lowest energy state (n = 1) is E1 = −Eo where

e2
Eo = = 13.6 eV
8πεo ao
This is the experimentally measured ionization (binding) energy of the hy-
drogen atom!
To obtain the spectral line wavelengths,
hc
Ei − Ef = hf =
λ !
1 1 1 Eo Eo
⇒ = (Ei − Ef ) = − 2 + 2
λ hc hc ni nf
!
1 Eo 1 1
∴ = 2 − 2
λ hc nf ni
Eo 13.6 × (1.6022 × 10−19 )
but =
hc (6.6261 × 10−34 ) × (3 × 108 )
= 1.097 × 107 m−1 = R - the Rydberg Constant!

Murad Ridwan, PhD 5 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.4. THE CORRESPONDENCE PRINCIPLE Applied Modern Physics

Figure 5.2: Electron orbits in Bohr atomic model

Therefore

!
1 1 1
=R 2 − 2 (5.8)
λ nf ni

where

nf = 1, ni = 2, 3, 4, . . . Layman series
nf = 2, ni = 3, 4, 5, . . . Balmer series
nf = 3, ni = 4, 5, 6, . . . Paschen series
nf = 4, ni = 5, 6, 7, . . . Brackett series
nf = 5, ni = 6, 7, 8, . . . Pfund series

Instead of drawing orbits to the scale of their radii, it is customary to draw

horizontal lines on an energy scale and call it energy level diagram.

5.4 The Correspondence Principle

In 1923, Bohr gave a new principle in an effort to make use of the classical
theory as a limiting case to infer some properties of atomic systems. This
principle, called the correspondence principle, asserts that the quantum and
classical results agree in the region of high quantum numbers (n → ∞). As
an example, classically the frequency of the radiation emitted by an orbiting

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5.4. THE CORRESPONDENCE PRINCIPLE Applied Modern Physics

Figure 5.3: Energy Level Diagram

electron is equal to the orbital frequency forb of the electron around the
nucleus;
ω v
fclassical = forb = = (5.9)
2π 2πr
 2 1
2
Substituting v = 4πεeo mr ,
 12
e2

1
fclassical =
2π 4πεo mr3
Inserting the orbital radius (5.6),
me4 1
fclassical = (5.10)
4πε2o h3 n3
The frequency of the transition from ni = n to nf = n − p (p = 1, 2, 3,) or
n → n − 1 → n − 2 → n − 3, . . . is
 
Eo 1 1
fBohr = −
h (n − p)2 n2
2np − p2
 
Eo
=
h n2 (n − p)2
For large n, (n >> p)
2npEo 2pEo
fBohr ≈ 4
=
hn hn3
From (5.7) and (5.6)
me4 p
fBohr = = fclassical for p = 1 ! (5.11)
4πε2o h3 n3

Murad Ridwan, PhD 7 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
AAiT, Addis Ababa University.
 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.5. NUCLEAR MOTION AND REDUCED MASS Applied Modern Physics

Figure 5.4: Finite nuclear mass motion

Harmonics of fBohr are radiated when p = 2, 3, 4, . . . So the frequencies of

the radiated energy agree between classical theory and the Bohr model for
large values of the quantum number n.

5.5 Nuclear Motion and Reduced Mass

Wavelength measurement for the atomic spectrum of hydrogen and hydro-
genic atoms exhibit a small disagreement if an infinite nuclear mass is as-
sumed. Since the nucleus has a finite mass, the electron and the nucleus
rotate about a common center of mass that is located near the nucleus. The
total angular momentum L of the system is
2 2
L = mωrE + M ωrN (5.12)

According to Bohr’s second postulate (Eq. 5.3)

L = nℏ
2 2
⇒ mωrE + M ωrN = nℏ (5.13)
but

mrE = M rN (torque conserved) (5.14)

r = rE + rN (5.15)
 
M
⇒ rE = r (5.16)
M +m
 
m
rN = r (5.17)
M +m

So (5.13) becomes  
mM
ωr2 = nℏ (5.18)
M +m

Murad Ridwan, PhD 8 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.5. NUCLEAR MOTION AND REDUCED MASS Applied Modern Physics

The centripetal force depends on rE while the electrostatic force depends on

r;
2
mvE 1 e2
= mω 2 rE =
rE 4πεo r2
1 e2
 
mM
⇒ ωr = (5.19)
M +m 4πεo r2
If we let m′ , called the reduced mass, as

mM
m′ = (5.20)
M +m

Then

Eo m′ e4 1
En = − = − (5.21)
n2 8ε2o h2 n2
M
R = R∞ (5.22)
M +m

where R∞ is the Rydberg constant for infinite nuclear mass (5.8) and should
be replaced by R for finite nuclear mass.

Example 5.2 Calculate the wavelength for ni = 3 → nf = 2 transition (called Hα

line) for atoms of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium. Note that:

Atom mass
hydrogen 1.007825 u
deuterium 2.014102 u
tritium 3.016049 u
electron 0.0005485799 u

where 1u = 1.66054 × 10−27 kg

Solution:

The nuclear mass, M , is the atomic mass minus the electron mass, m. There-
fore:
Nucleus M
hydrogen 1.007276 u
deuterium 2.013553 u
tritium 3.015500 u

Murad Ridwan, PhD 9 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.6. HYDROGENIC ATOMS Applied Modern Physics

R for the finite mass is

M 1
R= R∞ = R∞
M +m 1 + m/M
⇒
1
RH = 0.0005485799u R∞ = 0.99946R∞
1+ 1.007276u
1
RD = 0.0005485799u R∞ = 0.99973R∞
1+ 2.013553u
1
RT = 0.0005485799u R∞ = 0.99982R∞
1+ 3.015500u

!  
1 1 1 1 1
=R − 2 =R − 2 = 0.138889R
λ n2f ni 22 3
⇒ λ = 7.2R
λH = 7.2RH = 7.2 × 0.99946R∞ = 656.47 nm ◀
λD = 7.2RD = 7.2 × 0.99973R∞ = 656.29 nm ◀
λT = 7.2RT = 7.2 × 0.99982R∞ = 656.23 nm ◀

These isotope shifts are tiny - on the order of 0.1 to 0.2 nm (hundreds of
picometers). They are easily measurable with high-resolution spectroscopy
and are used to distinguish hydrogen isotopes experimentally.

5.6 Hydrogenic Atoms

The Bohr model may be applied to any single-electron atom (hydrogenic).

The only change needed is in Coulomb force where e2 is replaced by Ze2 to
account for the nuclear charge +Ze. Therefore,

1 Ze2
F = (5.23)
4πεo r2
m′ Z 2 e4 1
En = − (5.24)
4πεo n2
!
1 1 1
= Z 2R 2 − 2 (5.25)
λ nf ni

Murad Ridwan, PhD 10 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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 Class Notes on ECEG 2101
5.7. FAILURES OF THE BOHR ATOMIC MODEL Applied Modern Physics

5.7 Failures of the Bohr Atomic Model

In spite of the fact that the Bohr atomic model gives satisfactory results for
hydrogen atom, it suffers from some serious defects:

1. It can be applied to only hydrogen and hydrogenic atoms. It fails for

most other elements.

2. It fail to explain the fine structure of even hydrogen atoms. (Latter

explained by Sommerfield.)

3. It fails to explain the relative intensities of the spectral lines.

4. It could not explain the appearance of a large number of spectral lines

when the source is placed under the effect of an electric and magnetic
fields (Stark and Zeeman effects, respectively.)

5. It could not explain the binding of atoms into molecules.

Exercise 5.6 Bohr Radius and Energy:

(a) Calculate the radius of the orbit for an electron in the n = 3 state of a
hydrogen atom
(b) Calculate the total energy (in eV) of an electron in the n = 2 and n = 4
states
(c) What is the speed of an electron in the n = 1 (ground) state?
Exercise 5.7 The ionization energy of an atom is the energy required to remove
an electron from the ground state to infinity (where E∞ = 0).
(a) Using the formula En = − 13.6n2
eV
, calculate the ionization energy for a hy-
drogen atom. Confirm it is 13.6 eV.
(b) A photon with a wavelength of 80 nm is absorbed by a hydrogen atom in
its ground state. Is this energy sufficient to ionize the atom? Show your
calculation. (Hint: Calculate the photon’s energy and compare it to the
ionization energy).
Exercise 5.8 A singly-ionized helium atom (He+ ) has one electron orbiting a
nucleus with charge Z = 2
(a) What is the energy (in eV) of the electron in the n = 1 state for He+ ? How
does it compare to hydrogen?
(b) Calculate the wavelength of the photon emitted when the electron in He+
transitions from n = 4 to n = 2. In which part of the electromagnetic
spectrum (visible, UV, etc.) does this lie?
Exercise 5.9 Nuclear Motion - The Deuterium Shift:

Murad Ridwan, PhD 11 of 12

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5.7. FAILURES OF THE BOHR ATOMIC MODEL Applied Modern Physics

(a) Calculate the reduced mass (m′ ) for a hydrogen atom (1 H) and for a deu-
terium atom (2 H). Use the provided atomic masses.
Given data:

MH = 1.007825 u
MD = 2.014102 u
me = 0.0005485799 u
1 u = 1.66054 × 10−27 kg

M
(b) Using the formula R = R∞ , calculate the Rydberg constant R for
M + me
deuterium, where R∞ = 1.096776 × 107 m−1 .
(c) Calculate the wavelength of the Hα line (transition from ni = 3 to nf = 2)
for hydrogen and for deuterium. What is the difference in their wavelengths?
This small difference is why deuterium was discovered through spectroscopy.
Exercise 5.10 Beyond the Model: The Bohr model correctly predicts the energy
levels of hydrogen but fails for multi-electron atoms. What fundamental assumption
of the Bohr model breaks down when more than one electron is present? (Hint:
Think about the forces acting on each electron).

Murad Ridwan, PhD 12 of 12

School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
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