Valid reason to reject the Bohr model?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the validity of the Bohr model of the atom, particularly in light of its limitations and the potential for electrons to be displaced from stable orbits. Participants explore theoretical implications, the model's failures in explaining complex atomic spectra, and the role of principles such as the Pauli exclusion principle.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the Bohr model is inadequate for describing the absorption and emission spectra of atoms more complex than hydrogen, citing the need for a more comprehensive model like the Schrödinger model.
  • Concerns are raised about the Bohr model's failure to account for fine structure and the Pauli exclusion principle, which influences electron arrangement.
  • A hypothesis is presented regarding the possibility of electrons being knocked out of their stable orbits into chaotic configurations, but some participants express skepticism about its experimental validity.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of jumbled atoms on the stability of matter, with references to the Pauli exclusion principle as a fundamental reason for matter's solidity.
  • Questions arise regarding whether Pauli repulsion can be classified as a force, with explanations provided about its implications for fermions and the solidity of matter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the Bohr model has significant limitations, particularly in complex systems, but multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of these limitations and the validity of proposed hypotheses.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments rely on assumptions about the nature of atomic interactions and the applicability of the Pauli exclusion principle, which may not be universally accepted or fully explored within the discussion.

tade
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The Bohr model has been superseded by the Schrödinger model.

The Bohr model involves electrons orbiting around a nucleus. I was thinking, it might be possible for the electrons to be knocked out of their stable orbits into some chaotic configuration.

Is this a valid reason to reject the Bohr model?
 
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The Bohr model fails to describe the absorption/emission spectra of atoms that are more complex than hydrogen (i.e. the energy levels). Further, there's the so-called fine structure (splittings of spectral lines) which is due to the spin of electrons, which the Bohr model did not account for. See also failures of the Bohr Model.

The Pauli exclusion principle is also a very important concept which determines how the electrons are arranged. This was formulated more than ten years after the Bohr model.
 
DennisN said:
The Bohr model fails to describe the absorption/emission spectra of atoms that are more complex than hydrogen (i.e. the energy levels). Further, there's the so-called fine structure (splittings of spectral lines) which is due to the spin of electrons, which the Bohr model did not account for. See also failures of the Bohr Model.

The Pauli exclusion principle is also a very important concept which determines how the electrons are arranged. This was formulated more than ten years after the Bohr model.

I know, but what about the reason I mentioned in the OP?
 
tade said:
I was thinking, it might be possible for the electrons to be knocked out of their stable orbits into some chaotic configuration.
I see only a loosely stated hypothesis; I see no model presented that can be matched with actual experiments. Further, the Uncertainty Principle complicates the matter; therefore I abstain from commenting on such a hypothesis.

tade said:
I know, but what about the reason I mentioned in the OP?
I stated (some of) the valid reasons to reject the Bohr model according to mainstream physics. I can't do more without starting to speculate, which I do not want to do :smile:.
 
DennisN said:
I see only a loosely stated hypothesis; I see no model presented that can be matched with actual experiments. Further, the Uncertainty Principle complicates the matter; therefore I abstain from commenting on such a hypothesis. I stated (some of) the valid reasons to reject the Bohr model according to mainstream physics. I can't do more without starting to speculate, which I do not want to do :smile:.
It's alright if you don't want to speculate.

I was thinking, if all the atoms got jumbled up, everyday solid matter as we knew it would no longer be "stable".
 
tade said:
I was thinking, if all the atoms got jumbled up, everyday solid matter as we knew it would no longer be "stable".

Leaving aside exactly how you would do what you suggest the reason for matters stability and solidity is the Pauli Exclusion Principle which follows from the fact electrons are Fermion's = jumbling stuff up will not change that.

Thanks
Bill
 
bhobba said:
Leaving aside exactly how you would do what you suggest the reason for matters stability and solidity is the Pauli Exclusion Principle which follows from the fact electrons are Fermion's = jumbling stuff up will not change that.

Thanks
Bill

But chemical bonds and all that will be affected.

I agree with Dennis, this question is highly speculative.
 
bhobba said:
Leaving aside exactly how you would do what you suggest the reason for matters stability and solidity is the Pauli Exclusion Principle which follows from the fact electrons are Fermion's = jumbling stuff up will not change that.

Thanks
Bill

Is pauli repulsion a type of force?
 
tade said:
Is pauli repulsion a type of force?

Not per-se. It means two fermions cannot occupy the same state - if you try then it will be resisted which can manifest itself as a force. In fact its what's responsible for the solidity of matter - if you push solid objects together them their electrons would try to intermingle and occupy the same state which Fermions can't do - so a force arises to stop you. The math is a bit hairy and was first worked out in a bit of a mathematical tour-de-force by Dyson:
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/pdfs/data/1995/148-16/14816-15.pdf

Thanks
Bill
 
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  • #10
bhobba said:
Not per-se. It means two fermions cannot occupy the same state - if you try then it will be resisted which can manifest itself as a force. In fact its what's responsible for the solidity of matter - if you push solid objects together them their electrons would try to intermingle and occupy the same state which Fermions can't do - so a force arises to stop you. The math is a bit hairy and was first worked out in a bit of a mathematical tour-de-force by Dyson:
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/pdfs/data/1995/148-16/14816-15.pdf


So the fact that two fermions cannot occupy the same state, and that two Fermis cannot occupy the same seat, are one and the same? :smile:
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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