Lesson 4.1 – Bohr’s Postulates

Niels Bohr refined the atomic model by incorporating quantized energy levels. His model explained why hydrogen emits light at specific wavelengths.

Bohr’s Postulates:

1. Electrons orbit the nucleus in discrete energy levels (n).
2. Energy is absorbed/emitted when electrons move between levels.
3. The energy of an electron depends on its distance from the nucleus.

Mathematical Connection:

• Energy of electron transitions: E = hf
• Bohr’s equation for energy levels:

  (Where is the Rydberg constant)