The atom and the Bohr theory of its structure : $b an elementary presentationHolst, Helge
Science
The atom and the Bohr theory of its structure : $b an elementary presentation
Holst, Helge
Atomic theory
At first sight this would seem perhaps to be such an extraordinary
satisfactory result that it would prove an overwhelming witness in
favour of the Bohr theory. A little more careful thought, on the other
hand, would perhaps cause a complete reversion from enthusiasm and
lead some to say that the whole thing has not the slightest value,
because the stationary states were so chosen that agreement might be
made with the Balmer-Ritz formula. This last consideration, indeed,
states the truth in so far that the agreement between the formula
and the theory, at least as developed here up to this point, is of a
purely formal nature. In the Bohr postulates the frequencies of the
emitted radiation are determined by a difference between two of a
series of energy quantities, characterizing the stationary states,
just as in the Balmer-Ritz formula they appear as a difference between
two of a series of terms (K, K/4, K/9, ...) each characterized by
its integer. Now by characterizing the quantities of energy in the
stationary states by a series of integers (in itself a wholly arbitrary
procedure) complete agreement between the Bohr stationary states idea
and the spectral formulæ can be attained. It is not even necessary to
introduce the Rutherford atomic model to attain this end. By bringing
in this specific model, one might join the new theory to the knowledge
already gained of the atomic structure, and, so to speak, crystallize
the hitherto undefined or only vaguely defined stationary states into
more definite form as revolution in certain concrete orbits. This would
then lead to a more comprehensive conception of atomic structure.
But the theory unfortunately would still be rather arbitrary, since
there would seem to be no justification for picking out certain fixed
orbits with definite diameters or major axes to play a special rôle.
One cannot wonder then that many scientists considered the Bohr theory
unacceptable, or at any rate were inclined to look upon it simply as an
arbitrary, unreasonable conception which really explained nothing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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