Bohr Atom – The so-called Bohr atom is an attempt by Bohr to explain the structure of an atom and the role played by the electrons. Unfortunately, it is incomplete and only partly achieves its intent. In the simple Bohr atom the electrons are considered to spin around the positively charged nucleus where the attractive electrostatic force between the positive nucleus and the negative electron is balanced by the centrifugal force of the rotating electron. This portrayal of the atomic mechanism is true as far as it goes but does not explain the different orbits that correspond to different energy levels of the electron orbiting the nucleus. De Broglie considered the electron to have wave properties where the locus of the electron orbiting the nucleus was an integral number wavelengths that allowed the electron to act as a standing wave round the nucleus. Thus, the electron can have different ‘orbits’ around the nucleus where the locus of the ‘orbit’ is an exact number of wavelengths and each orbit corresponds to a specific energy. Consequently, the energy of the electron in each of its possible ‘orbits’ is defined by its wavelength. The latter description of the orbiting electron is now accepted but Bohr’s concept was important in that it initiated a understanding of the orbiting electron although did not give a complete understanding of the process.

Further Information on this Topic can be found in the books of R.P.W. Scott by following the listed links