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Introduction
In a previous article “Calculating the Balmer Alpha Line” we mentioned how accurate predictions of the spectral lines of singly ionized Helium were of considerable importance in persuading the scientific community that Danish physicist Niels Bohr was on the right track in respect of his groundbreaking atomic model first published in 1913. In this model bound electrons emit packets (quanta) of energy when they move from a higher energy state to a lower energy state. Observed spectral lines corresponded to specific frequencies of light (or electromagnetic radiation generally) associated with the transition energy between two such states.
The subject matter of this article is once again concerned with aspects of the calculation of such lines noting the differences as compared to calculating corresponding lines of the...
Bohr’s helium lines refer to the spectral lines observed in the emission spectrum of helium gas. These lines are produced when electrons in helium atoms move from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, releasing energy in the form of light.
Understanding Bohr’s helium lines allows us to study the behavior of electrons in atoms and gain insight into the structure of matter. It also has practical applications in fields such as astronomy, where the analysis of spectral lines can provide information about the composition and temperature of stars.
Niels Bohr proposed a model of the atom in which electrons exist in discrete energy levels, and the emission of light occurs when electrons transition between these levels. His model successfully explained the observed spectral lines in helium and other elements, laying the foundation for modern quantum mechanics.
The different colors in Bohr’s helium lines correspond to different wavelengths of light. Each wavelength is associated with a specific energy transition of the electron, and the colors provide valuable information about the energy levels and electronic structure of the atom.
No, Bohr’s helium lines are not visible to the naked eye in everyday life. They can only be observed using specialized instruments, such as a spectroscope, which separates the different wavelengths of light emitted by atoms and molecules.