Biography:Niels Bohr
| Niels Bohr | |
|---|---|
| |
| Bohr in 1922 | |
| Born | 7 October 1885 Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Died | 18 November 1962 Copenhagen, Denmark
|
| Known for | Bohr model; complementarity; Copenhagen interpretation; correspondence principle |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Physics (1922) |
Niels Henrik David Bohr (1885-1962) was a Danish theoretical physicist who made foundational contributions to atomic structure and quantum theory. He received the 1922 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the structure of atoms and the radiation emitted from them.
Atomic structure
Bohr introduced a model of the atom in which electrons occupy discrete stationary states and emit or absorb radiation when moving between allowed energy levels. The model explained important features of the hydrogen spectrum and helped connect spectroscopy with the emerging quantum theory.
Although later quantum mechanics replaced the old orbit picture, Bohr's work remains a central step in the history of energy levels, atomic transitions, and the quantum description of atoms.
Quantum theory
Bohr developed the correspondence principle, which connects quantum results with classical physics in suitable limits. He also argued for complementarity: the idea that quantum systems may require mutually exclusive experimental descriptions, such as wave and particle descriptions, to give a complete account of phenomena.
His Copenhagen institute became a major center for quantum physics, bringing together physicists such as Werner Heisenberg, Wolfgang Pauli, Paul Dirac, and many others.
Quantum Collection links
- Physics:Quantum atoms/hydrogen
- Physics:Quantum atoms/energy level
- Physics:Quantum atoms/transition
- Physics:Quantum Atomic structure and spectroscopy
- Physics:Quantum Measurement problem
- Physics:Quantum Wave-particle duality
References
- "Niels Bohr - Biographical". Nobel Prize Outreach. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1922/bohr/biographical/.
- "Niels Bohr". https://www.britannica.com/biography/Niels-Bohr.
- "Niels Bohr Archive". https://www.nbi.ku.dk/english/www/niels/bohr/.
External links