Semmar Khadidja MBM School

I- Model of Rutherford
This model is based on the existence of the nucleus in which the entire mass of the atom is
concentrated and around which electrons revolve.
Mechanical stability results from compensation of FEattraction forces by centrifugal forces Fc due to rotation of
electrons around the nucleus.

II- Bohr’s model

II-1 Description ( hydrogen atom case )
In the Bohr atom, the nucleus is motionless while the electron mass m moves around the nucleus in
a circular orbit of radius r.
To remove the previous contradictions, Bohr proposes three postulates:
1. The electron can only be on privileged orbits without emitting energy; they are called
"stationary orbits".
2. When an electron passes from one level to another it emits or absorbs energy: ΔE = h.ν
3. The kinetic moment of the electron can take only integer values (quantification of the kinetic
moment): mvr = n.h/2π h: Planck constant and n: natural integer.

II-2 Quantitative aspect of the Bohr atom

In a stationary nucleus atom of charge +Ze and surrounded by Z electrons (negative charge),
The system is stable by both FE and Fc forces
Fc is due to the rotation of electrons around the nucleus
For a hydrogen atom 11H, we have:
• Coulomb pull force: FE = k e2/r2
• Centrifugal force: FC= mev 2/r

The system is in balance if:

C. to d.:
k e2/r2 = mev2/r (1)
II-2-1 Total system energy:
ET = Ec+ Ep AND
Ec : kinetic energy
Ep : potential energy, it is due to the attraction of the core
2)
E C= 1/2(mv
EP (related to the position of the electron), the electron passing from one orbit of radius r to another
of radius r' performs a work: dw = Fdr = d EP
Here F = FE = k e2/r2 then: EP = (k e2/r2)dr => EP = -k e2 dr/ r2
The sign – to express that EPdecreases from r to + , obviously to l’ we have EP= 0; thus:

E P= - k e2/ r (2)

Then: ET = E C+ EP= 1/2mv2- k e2/ r

and according to (1): 1/2(mv2) = 1/2 (k e2/ r), we have:
E T= - k e2/ r + 1/2 (k e2/ r)
E T= - k e2/ 2r(3 ): electron energy in the stationary state

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II-2-2 Orbit Radius:

The only possible states are such that the kinetic moment of the electron is a multiple of h/2Π, that is:
mvr = n.h/2π (4), natural integer n.
==> v2 = n2h2/ 4Π2m2r2 (5)
from (1) v2 = ke2/m r ==> r = n2h2/ 4Π2me2k (6)
; k = 9x109 SI units.
If n = 1 (ground state) ==> r1 = h2 / 4Π2me2k = 0.53 A
° (1A° = ) 1010 m
Si n = n ==> r n= n2r1= 0.53 . r1 (A°) therefore rn= rHn2/Z
II-2-3 Expression of total energy:
The radius of the orbit where the electron circulates is quantified.
If you replace (6) with (2), you get:
ke 2 4 π 2 mke2 1 2 π 2 mk 2 e 4
En =− En =− 2
2 n2 h 2 ==> n (7) h2
The total energy of an electron is therefore discrete or quantified.
• For n=1 (ground state: the electron occupies the orbit of radius r1 and energy E1)
E 1 = -21.78.10-19d = -13.6 eV
• For n =2 ( First state excited )
E2 = E1/4 = -3.4 eV
• For n = n (nth excited state)
13 , 6
En =− eV
n2 and So En=E HZ2/n2(8)
II-3 Energy absorption and emission
An electron can only absorb or release energy i.e. radiate by passing from one level (orbit) to
another.
According to Bohr’s second postulate, the passage of an e-of an orbit defined by nià to an orbit defined by nf , is
done by an exchange of an energy quantum (Planck relation):

 
c: speed of light: c3.108 m = . s-1; h: Planck constant: h = 6.626.10-34 J.s
ΔE = l Ef – Ei l = hν Ef: end state
Ei: initial state
Absorption: When an electron passes from a level n (orbit of radius rn) to a level n’ (n'>n) higher (orbit of radius
rn'), it absorbs radiation of frequency νn-n'.

Emission: When an electron goes from a level n’ to a level n (n’ > n), it emits radiation of frequency
νn’-n.

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III- Emission spectrum of hydrogen atom

To observe this spectrum, an electric discharge is produced in a tube containing hydrogen under low
pressure; excited atoms emit red light. A prism is used to analyze the light emitted. On a
photographic plate several groups of light lines will be obtained on a dark background. All the bright
lines constitute the emission spectrum of hydrogen. Each group of rays is called a series and is
named after the scientist who discovered it.

Schematic diagram of the assembly for obtaining a hydrogen emission spectrum

The spectrum of all radiation may be as follows:

−
c 1
υ= υ=
Each line is characterized by its frequency λ or number of λ waves that can be measured.

The only possible energy exchanges between the atom and the outside are given by the relationship:
2 4 2
2 π me k 1 1
ΔEn →n =En −En = 2
( 2− 2 )
2 1 2 1
h n1 n2 (9)
where n1 et n2are integers called quantum numbers.
When n = n2 >1, the atom is in an excited state and the electron occupies a n2 orbit.
This change of orbits induces emitted or absorbed lights characterized by
ΔE
υ=
frequencies ==>  h

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1
υ=
Gold: λ = cT and T
c 1 υ
⇒ λ= υ= =
υ so λ c


(
υ= 2 π 2 me4 k 2
ch 3 )(
2 π 2 me 4 k 2 1 1
−
ni nf
2 2 ) (10)

( )
1 1
υ=R H −
ni n f
2 2
By posing RH (Rydberg Cte) = 109677 cm-1then (12)
This relationship makes it possible to calculate the different wavelengths corresponding to the
electronic transitions of hydrogen between two energy levels.
In general, there are several spectrum series depending on the state of the electron:
Each group of rays is called series and bears the name of the scientist who discovered it
There are several series of lines:
* Lyman Series: n1= 1 and n2 >1 (n2= 2,3…, ) located in the far ultraviolet
* Balmer Series: n1 = 2 and n2 >2 (n2 = 3,4…, ) located in the visible and ultraviolet
* Paschen Series: n1 = 3 and n2 >3 (n2 = 4,5…, ) located in the near infrared
* Brachett Series: n1 = 4 and n2 >4 (n2 = 5.6…, )
* Pfund Series: n1 = 5 and n2 >5 (n2 = 6.7…, )

Spectrum of hydrogen atom.electronic transitions

Note:
When n1= n and n2=n+1: represents the first line.
When n1= n and n2= : represents the boundary line.
IV- Ionization energy
It is the energy necessary to bring the electron from its ground state to the infinite.
H -----hν L--> H++ 1e-- hydrogen atom ionization
Δ E = hνL = E - E1 = 13.6 eV with νL: limit frequency and E = 0

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V- Application of the Bohr model to hydrogenoids
Definition of a hydrogenoid
A hydrogenoid is an atom that has lost all but one of its electrons; the charge of the nucleus is +Z.e
and that of the peripheral electron (-e). exemples :He+ ; Li++; Be+++……
The problem of an electron moving around a +Ze charge nucleus is similar to that of hydrogen.
The force of attraction in this case is: -Z K e2/r2 and the condition of stability of the orbit is:
mev2/r = Z K e2/r2
and the condition of orbit stability is: mev2/r =ZK e2/r
A reasoning similar to that followed for the hydrogen atom leads to a value of r such that:
1
r n =n 2 x x 0 ,53 ( A ° )
r =n2h2/4 2K mee2Z ==> Z
E = -Z2(2 2Kee4)/n2h2 ==> En = Z2 En(hydrogène)
13 , 6 2
En =− Z
n2 (eV)
1 1 1
=R H xZ2 x ( 2 − '2 )
λ n n
VI- Application du modèle de Bohr aux atomes à plusieurs électrons :
Si l’électron responsable de l’émision du spectre optique de raies est séparé du noyau par des
électrons profonds, il existe un effet d’écran de la part de ces électrons vis-à-vis de l’électron
optique.
La force d’attraction du noyau sera affaiblie, on a: Zeff. = Z -  Zeff. : Z effectif
k (Z-σ )e2
F e=
Hence: r2
0,53
r n =n 2
Hence: ( Z−σ ) (A°)
1
En = 2 (−13,6 )(Z−σ )2
n (eV)
−
1 1 1
υ = =R H ( Z- σ )2 ( 2 − '2 )
λ ni n f est la constante d’écran qui dépend de n.
Cette formule est analogue à la loi de moseley.
Conclusion
Il faut signaler l’importance de la théorie de Bohr assimilant un électron tournant autour du noyau
comme la lune autour de la terre : outre son succès remarquable dans l’interprétation du spectre de
l’atome d’hydrogène, elle a confirmé les idées révolutionnaires de Planck sur la quantification de
l’énergie.
Mais cette théorie simple s’est révélée une théorie approchée. On n’arrivait pas à expliquer l’effet
Zeeman par exemple (un atome a un spectre d’émission plus complexe dans un champ
magnétique).
La théorie de Bohr ne pouvait pas non plus expliquer les détails du spectre des atomes possédant
plusieurs électrons.
La théorie de Bohr laissa place vers 1924 à la théorie moderne de la structure atomique.