33.4 Bohr's Atom

The 'permissible' orbits of electrons in atoms were like a commandment: thou shalt not ; in other words, there was no underlying principle to justify the quantization of angular momentum. However, de Broglie's matter-waves provides justification for permissible orbits. The matter-waves associated with electrons must form standing waves, which are formed in circular loops only when the waves join smoothly on themselves; i.e., the circumference must be equal to integral multiple of wave length.

i.e. Bohr's quantization rule for angular momentum of electrons in an atom.

[next page]

Index

33.1 Compton scattering of photons
33.2 Louis de Broglie's concept of matter waves
33.3 Electron Diffraction
33.4 Bohr's Atom

Chapter 34