What is Bohr: Definition and 210 Discussions

Niels Henrik David Bohr (Danish: [ˈne̝ls ˈpoɐ̯ˀ]; 7 October 1885 – 18 November 1962) was a Danish physicist who made foundational contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922. Bohr was also a philosopher and a promoter of scientific research.
Bohr developed the Bohr model of the atom, in which he proposed that energy levels of electrons are discrete and that the electrons revolve in stable orbits around the atomic nucleus but can jump from one energy level (or orbit) to another. Although the Bohr model has been supplanted by other models, its underlying principles remain valid. He conceived the principle of complementarity: that items could be separately analysed in terms of contradictory properties, like behaving as a wave or a stream of particles. The notion of complementarity dominated Bohr's thinking in both science and philosophy.
Bohr founded the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Copenhagen, now known as the Niels Bohr Institute, which opened in 1920. Bohr mentored and collaborated with physicists including Hans Kramers, Oskar Klein, George de Hevesy, and Werner Heisenberg. He predicted the existence of a new zirconium-like element, which was named hafnium, after the Latin name for Copenhagen, where it was discovered. Later, the element bohrium was named after him.
During the 1930s Bohr helped refugees from Nazism. After Denmark was occupied by the Germans, he had a famous meeting with Heisenberg, who had become the head of the German nuclear weapon project. In September 1943 word reached Bohr that he was about to be arrested by the Germans, and he fled to Sweden. From there, he was flown to Britain, where he joined the British Tube Alloys nuclear weapons project, and was part of the British mission to the Manhattan Project. After the war, Bohr called for international cooperation on nuclear energy. He was involved with the establishment of CERN and the Research Establishment Risø of the Danish Atomic Energy Commission and became the first chairman of the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics in 1957.

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  1. G

    Exploring Physics: Unveiling the Bohr Model

    I am currently taking Physics 30 now and we have just finished the Magnetism unit. The last little bit that we had to learn in the unit was about Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity. I was just thinking about this...and maybe I'm crazy, but I'll just state my opinion. I was just thinking...
  2. M

    Explaining Acceleration of Electron in Bohr Model

    I keep reading that the Bohr model explained why the electron in orbit around the nucleus does not emit radiation even though it is accelerating. How does the Bohr model explain this?
  3. PeteGt

    Does Bohr's Model of Hydrogen Still Hold Up Against Quantum Mechanics?

    I searched the forums to find my answer and didn't find anything within the first couple searches. Here's my question: Bohr developed his model of the hydrogen atom. Then Quantum mechnics came along. Does Bohr's model of Hydrogen work for itself? I always thought even though wave...
  4. A

    Derivation of the Bohr Magneton

    This is a homework problem, and I already turned in the wrong answer (on purpose because I didn't agree with the explanation of why the correct answer was twice mine). I want to know why the answer is what it is. The stated book value is 9.274009 x 10^-24 J/T. I got exactly half that, and I...
  5. Q

    Dynamics of uniform circular motion and bohr model

    In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, an electron (mass m = 9.1 x 10^-31 kg) orbits a proton at a distance of 5.3 x 10^-11 m. The proton pulls on the electron with an electric force of 9.2 x 10^-8 N. How many revolutions per second does the electron make? can someone help me solve this...
  6. T

    Suggestions on any good Niels Bohr sites

    suggestions on any good Niels Bohr sites... Taking a summer physical science class..and my presentation is on Niels Bohr...I wanted to know if there were any good sites anyone can point me to. THX :)
  7. M

    Solve the Mystery: Who Said "A Computer Cannot Make a Perfect Model of Itself"?

    Hello, i have a question that the answer is most desired right now..I am in a debate and am looking for a qoute, I think it was either Bohr, Herbert, maybe von nueman, I am not sure, but the qoute is something to the effect that a computer cannot make a perfect functioning model of itself, for...
  8. marcus

    The Bohr compactification of the Reals

    the Bohr compactification of the real line RBohr is essential (it seems) to Loop Quantum Cosmology. Here are some links illustrating that: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=147432#post147432 I want to understand the Bohr compactification better. It is putting a...
  9. E

    Calculating the Collapse of a Bohr Atom: Larmor's Formula for Power Radiation

    I have a question. Suppose we have an electron orbiting around a proton in a Bohr atom. It is accelerating due to centripetal motion yet traveling at v<<c so Newtownian physics applies. Since it is accelerating, it is radiating energy. Assuming we are using larmor's formula for power radiated...
  10. frankR

    Quantized angular momentum of diatomic gas molecule: Bohr Model

    Here is the problem: A diatomic gas molecule consists of two atoms of mass m separated by a fixed distance d rotating about an axis as shown. Assuming that its angular momentum is quantized just as in the Bohr atom, determine a) the quantized angular speed, b) the quantized rotational energy...
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