Niels Bohr: the Father of the Theory of Atomic Structure

The Humanitarian Physicist Who was a Scientific Genius

By Gary Davis, published Sep 27, 2007
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"Epistemology, or, "theory of knowledge", is the branch of philosophy that studies the nature, methods, limitations and validity of knowledge and belief. (Wilkipedia Epistemology) According to Plato, and, represented by a figure of subsets, knowledge is the subset of what is both true and believed.

Epistemology was the basis for "debates" between Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr on quantum physics and many more topics. Actually close friends, Einstein and Bohr discussed not only quantum physics, but many more topics, taking the form of an Einstein challenge and a Bohr response; discussions rather than debates which yielded a lot of information. (Wilkipedia Bohr-Einstein debates)

Niels Henrik David Bohr, (October 7, 1885-November 18, 1962), "...a Danish physicist who made fundamental contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum physics..." (Wilkipedia Niels Bohr) Bohr basically was considered the father of atomic structure. (Hart Page 512) Bohr sharpened his thinking studying with J.J. Thompson who discovered the electron. Further He studied with Ernest Rutherford who discovered the atomic nucleus.

Bohr developed his own theory which was published in 1913 as an epoch-making work "On the Constitution of Atoms and Molecules". (Hart page 512) Bohr described an atom as a miniature solar system with electrons revolving around the heavy nucleus. (Hart page 513)

Bohr's work did a lot of explaining regarding the structure of the atom, including the explanation as to why it was limited in size; and, the fact that light did not include all colors. Additionally, Bohr predicted the existence of additional spectral lines and, ultimately won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922.

Later, Bohr's work began to deteriorate as an explanation, because the makeup of all atoms was needed and Bohr's theories came up short.

In 1925 Werner Heisenberg found the solution. (Hart Page 514) Bohr turned and helped add to this new-found information.

Bohr turned his attention to the structure of the atomic nucleus and identified the isotope of Uranium; U/235.

Takeaways
  • A study or "Bio-Sketch" of Niels Bohr
Did You Know?
Niels Bohr was a Humanitarian as well as a physicist
Resources
  • Wilkipedia Niels Bohr
  • Wilkepedia Einstein-Bohr debates
  • The 100 A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History Hart, Michael H. 1989 Citadel
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
 
 
nice

Posted on 04/01/2008 at 7:04:52 AM

 
This is cool! helped me pass some tests!

Posted on 02/08/2008 at 3:02:15 PM

 
yah nice!!!!!...

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 6:11:00 AM

 
Excellent article!

Posted on 09/27/2007 at 4:09:00 PM

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