Can the Bohr Model Accurately Predict Electron Energy in a Magnetic Field?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the Bohr model to derive the energy of an electron in a magnetic field. The user initially attempts to calculate energy levels using the equations for angular momentum and kinetic energy, but encounters discrepancies in predicted transitions, particularly with forbidden states at n=2, 4, 6. The response clarifies that the magnetic energy must be considered, leading to the correct energy intervals expressed as E = nħω, where ω is the angular frequency of the electron's rotation in the magnetic field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Bohr model of the atom
  • Familiarity with angular momentum and kinetic energy equations
  • Knowledge of Lorentz force and its implications in magnetic fields
  • Basic concepts of magnetic moment and magnetic energy
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of energy levels in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about the implications of magnetic fields on electron behavior
  • Explore the concept of magnetic flux quantum in detail
  • Investigate the relationship between angular frequency and energy in quantum systems
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the interaction of magnetic fields with atomic structures will benefit from this discussion.

Gavroy
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hi

i thought that if i try to derive the energy of an electron in a magnetic field, this could be done with the assumptions of the bohr model.

L=n h/(2π)

mv²/r=qvB => mvr=qBr²=>n h/(2π)=qBr²

E=p²/(2m)=q²B²r²/(2m)=n h/(2π)qB/(2m)

so i get the energy for the first level, but all transitions are wrong, as n=2,4,6 etc. should be forbidden, but i do not get this condition.

so my question is: why does this mistake appear?
 
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Gavroy said:
hi

i thought that if i try to derive the energy of an electron in a magnetic field, this could be done with the assumptions of the bohr model.

L=n h/(2π)

mv²/r=qvB => mvr=qBr²=>n h/(2π)=qBr²

E=p²/(2m)=q²B²r²/(2m)=n h/(2π)qB/(2m)

so i get the energy for the first level, but all transitions are wrong, as n=2,4,6 etc. should be forbidden, but i do not get this condition.

so my question is: why does this mistake appear?

Probably, you forget about the "magnetic energy", though the electron (charge= q ) is rotating under the magnetic field. I rearrange your equations here.

According to the Bohr model. the orbital length is an integer (n) times de Broglie's wavelength (=h/mv),
So this fact leads to your first equation of the angular momentum (L).

2\pi r = n \times \frac{h}{mv} \quad \to \quad L = mvr = n \times \frac{h}{2\pi} = n \hbar

The centrifugal force is equal to Lorentz force (= qvB), as shown in your second equation.

\frac{mv^2}{r} = qvB

Using these equations, the angular frequency (= w) of the rotating electron and kinetic energy (K) are

\omega = 2\pi \times f = 2\pi \times \frac{v}{2\pi r} = \frac{v}{r} = \frac{qB}{m}

K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{n\hbar qB}{2m} = \frac{1}{2}n\hbar \omega

Loretz force causes the magnetic moment (= u ) (of rotating electron), which direction is opposite to the external magnetic field,

\mu = I\pi r^2 = \frac{qv}{2\pi r}\cdot \pi r^2 =\frac{qmvr}{2m} = \frac{qn\hbar}{2m}

So the magnetic energy (V) is "plus", as follows,

V = \mu\cdot B = \frac{n\hbar qB}{2m} = \frac{1}{2}n\hbar \omega

As a result, the energy intervals are hw, as follows,

E = V + K = n\hbar \omega

By the way, using Maxwell equation and the above equations, the magnetic flux included in the circular orbit is

\pi r^2 B = \pi \frac{m^2v^2}{q^2 B} = \frac{h}{2q} \times n

where h/2q is "magnetic flux quantum"
 

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