Question

According the classical physics, the electron should radiate energy and fall to the nucleus in a short period of time. However, this was not the case. Hence, Bohr proposed his theory, suggesting that electrons existed in specific orbits, where they did not radiate energy. These orbits had quantised or discrete energies. Moving between these orbitals meant the emission of specific amounts of energy, emission of photons.

However what was so revolutionary behind this idea? It seems to me, he solved this radiation problem, by simply stating that it didn't happen, electrons exist in specific obrits, where they don't radiate energy. Did Bohr know why this actually happened or did he just state it? Currently, I am struggling to understand what was so revolutionary about Bohr's contribution to the previous nuclear model of the atom.

Answer 1

Niels Bohr proposed a revolutionary model of the atom that explained electron behavior using the idea of specific orbits and quantized energy levels. This model provided an explanation for the emission of energy in the form of photons when electrons move between orbits.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom, proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913, was the first quantum model that correctly explained the hydrogen emission spectrum. Bohr's model combines the classical mechanics of planetary motion with the quantum concept of photons. He suggested that electrons move in specific orbits around the nucleus, where they do not radiate energy. This was revolutionary because it introduced the idea of quantized or discrete energies for electrons, and it explained the emission of specific amounts of energy in the form of photons when electrons move between orbits.