Bohr Postulates:

1) An electron can revolve around the nucleus in certain fixed orbits of definite
energy without absorption or emission of any radiation. Such orbits are called
stationary orbits.

2) When an electron jumps from one stationary orbit to another, the difference of
energy between the two states is emitted or absorbed in accordance with the
Quantum Theory of Radiation.
E1  E2 = E = h
3) The angular momentum of the electron during revolution in a stationary orbit
should be an integral multiple of h/2 , where h = Planck’s constant [h = 6.626 x
1034 kg m2 s1 or J.s].
[J = kg·m2·s2]
mvr = n. (h/2)

where m = mass of the electron

v = velocity
r = radius of the orbit

n = positive integer (1, 2, 3...)

For first orbit, angular momentum of the electron = h/2

For second orbit, angular momentum of the electron = 2.h/2 and so on

The angular momentum of the electron is thus said to be quantized and the integer
'n' used in the quantization of angular momentum is termed the quantum number.
Radii of the Bohr orbits:
For an electron moving in a orbit (Bohr) of radius r around a nucleus with Z units of
positive charge,
(centrifugal force) = (coulombic force)
mv2/r = Ze2/4or2  i

Again, Bohr condition of angular momentum requires

mvr = n. (h/2)  ii

Dividing ii by i (to eliminate v2) and rearranging

r = o n2h2/ mZ e2  iii

For a hydrogen atom, Z = 1. The radius of the smallest possible orbit (n = 1), r1 say

r1 = o h2/ mZ e2

= 8.854 x 1012 kg1 m3 s4 A2. {6.626 x 1034}2 {kg m2 s1}2/

3.14 x 9.109 x 1031 kg x {1.602 x 1019}2 A2.s2
= 5.293 x 1011 m
= 0.053 nm
[C = A.s]

This the radius of the first Bohr orbit (designated as ao), the approx. size of H atom.

Energy of an electron in a Bohr orbit

An electron in the atom possesses (i) Kinetic Energy by virtue of its motion and
(ii) Potential energy due to its attachment to the nucleus.

Kinetic Energy (Ek):

From the equation 'i', we have

mv2/r = Ze2/4or2  i

or 1/2.mv2 = Ze2/8or

 Ek = Ze2/8or  iv
Potential Energy (Ep):

The potential energy of an atom in an atom (of radius r) can be calculated with
reference to its position at infinity from the nucleus, where the potential energy is
assigned to be of ZERO value.

The potential energy is then given by the total work done in bringing an electron
from infinity to a distance r from the nucleus.

The Force involved is the coulombic force of attraction by the nucleus, Ze2/4or2.

𝒓=𝒓 𝒁 𝒆𝟐 𝒁 𝒆𝟐
Ep = W = ∫𝒓=∞ =  v
𝟒 𝐨 𝐫𝟐 𝟒 𝐨 𝐫

Total Energy (E = Ek + Ep):

𝒁 𝒆𝟐 𝒁 𝒆𝟐 𝒁 𝒆𝟐
E = Ek + Ep =  =
𝟖 𝐨 𝐫 𝟒 𝐨 𝐫 𝟖 𝐨 𝐫

now putting the value of r (from eq iii), we get

𝒁𝟐 𝒎 𝒆𝟒
E=
𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝐧𝟐 𝐡𝟐

The negative value in the Energy expression is very significant. This indicates that
the electron is actually bound to the nucleus by this amount of energy i.e., work,
equal to the magnitude of E, has to be done to remove the electron away from the
nucleus.

Problems (in SI units):

(1) Calculate the size of the He+ ion applying Bohr's theory.

(2) Calculate the radii of the second orbit of Li2+ ion.

(3) Calculate the velocity of an excited electron moving in the 3rd Bohr orbit of a hydrogen atom.

(4) Calculate the energy of an electron moving in the 2nd Bohr orbit of the Li2+ ion.
Interpretation of the hydrogen spectrum:

Consider the energies of two orbits associated with the quantum number n1 and n2
(n2> n1) are En1 and En1 respectively in a Bohr type atom.

The difference of energy (En2  En1) will be absorbed or emitted in the form of
radiation and give rise to a spectral line when an electron initially excited to a
higher energy orbit (n2) comes back to a lower energy orbit (n1). The frequency of
this line for hydrogen (Z = 1) will be given by the relation:

En2  En1 = h

𝒎 𝒆𝟒 𝒎 𝒆𝟒
En1 =  , En2 = 
𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝑛1𝟐 𝐡𝟐 𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝑛2𝟐 𝐡𝟐

𝒎 𝒆𝟒
h = En2  En1 =
𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝐡𝟐
(𝑛121  𝑛221 )
𝒎 𝒆𝟒 1 1
or = ( 
𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝐡𝟑 𝑛12 𝑛22
)
 𝒎 𝒆𝟒 1 1
= =
𝑐
( 
𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝐜 𝐡𝟑 𝑛12 𝑛22
)
Now, substituting the value of m, e, o , c and h, the wave # is obtained as:

 = 1.096776 x 107 (𝑛121  𝑛221 ) m 1

This is the same expression established experimentally by Rydberg for the

spectrum oh H atom.
1
=

=R (𝑛121  𝑛221 ) m 1

Different values of  can thus be obtained depending on the various sets of values
of n1 (= 1,2,3...) and n2 (= 1,2,3...). Bohr is thus able to explain the lines in the
spectrum of atomic hydrogen with certainty.
 Initial Bohr Orbit Final Bohr orbit(s) Spectral series
n1 = 1 n2 (= 2, 3, 4...) Lyman
n1 = 2 n2 (= 3, 4, 5...) Balmer
n1 = 3 n2 (= 4, 5, 6...) Paschen
n1 = 4 n2 (= 5, 6, 7...) Brackett

Q 5. What will be the wave length of the second line in the visible spectrum
(Balmer) of H atom? (R = 1.096776 x 107)

Ans.
For Balmer series, the value of n1 = 2 and for the second line in this series, n2 = 4

Now considering the expression:

1
=

=R (𝑛121  𝑛221 ) m1

1 1
= 1.096776 x 10 (  ) m
7 1
22 42
= 2.06 x 106 m1

The desired wave length,  = 1/2.06 x 106 = 8.84 x 107 m

Demerits of the Bohr Model

The Bohr Model was an important milestone in the development of atomic theory
regarding (i) the stability of atoms and (ii) the origin of discontinuous line
spectrum. However, it has several limitations.

 It cannot be applied to multi-electron atoms. Moreover, it does not explain

the fine structure (an apparently single line consists a number of closely
spaced lines) of the spectral lines even for atomic hydrogen.

 It violates the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. The Bohr model considers

electrons to have both a known radius and orbit, which is impossible
according to Heisenberg.

 It does not explain the Zeeman Effect, when the spectral line is split into
several components in the presence of a magnetic field.

Difference between orbit and orbital:

Orbit Orbital
It represents the well-defined planar 2D It represents the 3D spherical space, where the
circular path of an electron around the nucleus.
probability of finding the electron is maximum.
Orbits do not have directional features i.e., All orbitals except 's' have directional property
they do have only radial (r) dependence. i.e., dependence on the angular (, ) part is
apparent.
This concept is not in accordance with the This concept follows the uncertainty principle.
uncertainty principle.
Maximum no. of electrons occupying an orbit is An orbital cannot accommodate more than
given by 2n2. (n = concerned quantum no.) two electrons.

Quantum numbers:
===============================================================

Ionization Energy (IE) form Bohr's Theory:

Calculation of first Ionization energy of H
(i.e., energy involved for the process H  H+ + e)
𝒎 𝒆𝟒 1 1
h = E = En2  En1 = (  )
𝟖 𝐨𝟐 𝐡𝟐 12 
= 9.109 x 1031 kg x {1.602 x 1019}4 A4.s4/8 x {8.854 x 1012}2 kg2 m6 s8 A4. {6.626 x
1034}2 {kg2 m4 s2}

= kg s2
==============================================================