# Bohr Model Electron Movement Question

1. Mar 30, 2010

### MrJohnnyPrice

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

How does an electron get from an excited state (r = 4ao) to a ground state (r = ao) without being anywhere in between?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

My only attempt would be to say that it does exist between for a short time, and during that time it emits a photon. The book I'm working with poses the question but lends no hint toward how to answer it, it simply states the electron "jumps" between states.

2. Mar 30, 2010

### gabbagabbahey

The idea is that the electron is described by a wavefunction, which is non-zero at every position... $r=a_0$ is just the most probable position for you to find an electron in the ground state, when you measure its position.

The electron's position doesn't jump from $r=4a_0$ to $r=a_0$, only its most probable location, upon measurement, makes that jump.

3. Mar 30, 2010

### MrJohnnyPrice

Awesome, thank you so much.

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