Q.(a) Using the Bohr's model calculate the speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in the n=1,2, and 3 levels.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Bohr Model Quantization
Why does an electron not spiral into the nucleus?
Imagine you're pushing a child on a swing. If you push at random moments, the swing jerks and slows down. But if you push exactly in rhythm with the swing's natural motion, each push adds energy smoothly and the swing goes higher and higher. The swing "prefers" to move at specific frequencies — its natural modes.
An electron orbiting a nucleus is similar, but with a crucial twist from the quantum world. Classical physics says an accelerating charge (like an electron going in a circle) must continuously radiate energy. If that were true, the electron would lose energy, spiral into the nucleus, and atoms would collapse in a flash of light. But atoms are stable. So something is fundamentally different.
The radical idea: allowed orbits only
Niels Bohr proposed in 1913 that the electron cannot occupy just any orbit. It can only exist in certain stationary states — orbits where it does not radiate energy. These are like the swing's natural frequencies, but for an electron.
The key condition that picks out these special orbits is called quantization of angular momentum.
L=n2πh,n=1,2,3,…
Here L is the orbital angular momentum of the electron, h is Planck's constant, and n is a positive integer called the principal quantum number.
What this means physically
Angular momentum for a circular orbit is L=mvr, where m is the electron mass, v its speed, and r the orbit radius. So the quantization condition becomes:
mvr=n2πh
This is not a formula you derive — it is a postulate, a rule that nature follows. Bohr had no deeper explanation for why this rule works; he simply noticed it gave the right answers for hydrogen's spectrum.
The quantity 2πh appears so often that it has its own symbol: ℏ (h-bar). So the condition is often written as L=nℏ.
What it predicts
Combining this quantization with Newton's law for circular motion (centripetal force = Coulomb attraction) gives:
- Radius of the nth orbit: rn=n2a0, where a0=0.529A˚ is the Bohr radius (the smallest orbit, n=1).
- Energy of the nth orbit: En=−n213.6eV
The negative sign means the electron is bound to the nucleus. As n increases, the orbit gets larger and the energy becomes less negative (closer to zero).
The key insight for exams
Bohr quantization is not a derivation — it is a condition you apply. When you see a problem about hydrogen-like atoms (one electron), you:
- Write mvr=nℏ
- Write the force balance: rmv2=r2kZe2 (for nuclear charge Ze)
- Solve for r and v in terms of n …
Why this formula?
Why Angular Momentum is Quantised in the Bohr Model
The Bohr model's most famous result — that angular momentum comes only in integer multiples of 2πh — is not an arbitrary assumption. It follows directly from a single, elegant idea: the electron's wave must close on itself.
The core problem Bohr faced
By 1913, physicists knew two things that seemed contradictory:
- Rutherford's nuclear model showed electrons orbiting the nucleus.
- Maxwell's equations predicted that any accelerating charge (like an orbiting electron) must radiate energy, spiral inward, and collapse in about 10−11 seconds.
Atoms are stable. Something was missing.
Bohr's breakthrough was to combine the newly discovered quantum idea (Planck's constant h) with classical mechanics, but only for allowed orbits. The key constraint came from thinking of the electron not as a tiny planet, but as a standing wave.
The de Broglie wavelength argument (the cleanest derivation)
A few years after Bohr, de Broglie proposed that every moving particle has a wavelength:
λ=ph=mvh
For an electron in a circular orbit of radius r, the circumference is 2πr. For the wave to be stable — not cancelling itself out — the circumference must contain an integer number of wavelengths:
2πr=nλ,n=1,2,3,…
Substitute λ=h/(mv):
2πr=n⋅mvh
Rearrange:
mvr=n⋅2πh
That's it. The left side mvr is the angular momentum L. So:
L=nℏ,where ℏ=2πh
This is not a separate postulate — it is a consequence of requiring the electron wave to be a standing wave. If the wave doesn't close on itself, it interferes destructively and the orbit cannot exist.
Why this fixes the energy levels
Once angular momentum is quantised, the rest follows from classical physics. For a circular orbit, the centripetal force is provided by the Coulomb attraction:
rmv2=4πϵ01r2e2
Combine this with mvr=nℏ and solve for r and E:
rn=me24πϵ0ℏ2⋅n2=a0n2
En=−8ϵ02h2me4⋅n21=−n213.6 eV …
Concept: Bohr Model Quantization — the electron's angular momentum is quantised, mevnrn=n2πh, and the Coulomb force supplies the centripetal force.
- Speed of the electron
Solving the force-balance and quantisation equations together gives vn=2ε0nhe2, which falls as 1/n. Substituting the constants gives v1≈2.19×106 m/s, so:
v1≈2.19×106 m/s,v2=2v1≈1.09×106 m/s,v3=3v1≈7.29×105 m/s
- Orbital period Using rn=n2a0 (with a0≈5.29×10−11 m) and Tn=vn2πrn: …
Bohr's model quantises angular momentum, which gives the electron's speed as vn=2ε0nhe2. For hydrogen, v1≈2.19×106 m/s, v2≈1.09×106 m/s, v3≈7.29×105 m/s. The orbital period Tn=vn2πrn then gives T1≈1.52×10−16 s, T2≈1.22×10−15 s, T3≈4.10×10−15 s.
Why Bohr's model works for this
Bohr's model combines classical circular motion with one quantum condition: the electron's angular momentum is an integer multiple of 2πh. The Coulomb force provides the centripetal force, and quantising the angular momentum ties the speed v to the orbit radius r — solving the two together gives both in terms of n alone.
Step-by-step calculation
1. The two governing equations
For an electron of mass me and charge −e orbiting a proton (charge +e) in a circular orbit of radius r with speed v:
- Coulomb force = centripetal force:
4πε01r2e2=rmev2
- Bohr's quantisation of angular momentum:
mevr=n2πh,n=1,2,3,…
2. Solve for the speed vn
Eliminating r between these two equations gives:
vn=2ε0nhe2
The speed falls as 1/n — higher orbits mean slower electrons.
3. Substitute the constants
Using e=1.602×10−19 C, ε0=8.854×10−12 F/m, h=6.626×10−34 J⋅s:
2ε0he2=2×8.854×10−12×6.626×10−34(1.602×10−19)2≈2.19×106 m/s
Since vn=v1/n:
- v1≈2.19×106 m/s
- v2=v1/2≈1.09×106 m/s
- v3=v1/3≈7.29×105 m/s
v1 is close to c/137 — the fine-structure constant α=2ε0hce2≈1371 appears naturally here. This is why relativistic corrections to the hydrogen atom are small.
4. Find the orbital radius rn
From the two governing equations, rn=n2a0, where a0=πmee2ε0h2≈5.29×10−11 m is the Bohr radius:
- r1=5.29×10−11 m …
Method: Bohr's Quantization of Angular Momentum
This problem uses the Bohr quantization condition — the idea that angular momentum comes in discrete packets — combined with the Coulomb force providing the centripetal acceleration.
Step 1: Write the two governing equations
Quantization of angular momentum (Bohr's postulate):
mevr=n2πh,n=1,2,3,…
Coulomb force = centripetal force (for a hydrogen nucleus with charge +e):
4πε01r2e2=rmev2
Where:
- me=9.11×10−31 kg
- e=1.60×10−19 C
- h=6.63×10−34 J⋅s
- ε0=8.85×10−12 C2/N⋅m2
Step 2: Solve for speed v in terms of n
From the quantization condition: r=2πmevnh
Substitute into the force equation:
4πε01(2πmevnh)2e2=2πmevnhmev2
This simplifies to:
4πε01n2h2e2⋅4π2me2v2=nh2πmev2
Cancel v2 (non-zero) and rearrange:
ε0n2h2e2me⋅π=nh2πmev
Cancel π and me:
ε0n2h2e2=nh2v
Multiply both sides by nh:
ε0nhe2=2v
vn=2ε0nhe2
This is the speed of the electron in the nth Bohr orbit.
Step 3: Calculate v1, v2, v3
First compute the constant factor:
2ε0he2=2(8.85×10−12)(6.63×10−34)(1.60×10−19)2
Numerator: 2.56×10−38
Denominator: 2×8.85×10−12×6.63×10−34=1.173×10−44
So the constant =1.173×10−442.56×10−38=2.18×106 m/s
Therefore:
vn=n2.18×106 m/s
| n | vn (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.18×106 |
| 2 | 1.09×106 |
| 3 | 7.27×105 |
v1≈c/137, the fine-structure constant times c. This is a famous result — the electron in the ground state moves at about 1% of the speed of light.
Part (b): Orbital period
Method: Period T=speedcircumference=v2πr
We need r for each n. From the quantization condition:
rn=2πmevnnh=2πmenh⋅e22ε0nh=πmee2ε0n2h2
rn=πmee2ε0n2h2
This is the Bohr radius a0=5.29×10−11 m when n=1. …
Common Mistakes in Bohr Model Calculations
Students often lose marks on this exact problem because they rush through the algebra or misapply the quantization condition. Let me walk through the most frequent errors and how to fix each.
Mistake 1: Using the wrong formula for velocity
Many students try to derive velocity from mvr=2πnh alone, forgetting that the Coulomb force provides the centripetal force. They end up with an expression that still contains r, which they don't know yet.
How to avoid: Always start from the force balance equation:
rmv2=r2ke2
This gives v2=mrke2. Then combine with the quantization condition mvr=nℏ (where ℏ=h/2π) to eliminate r. You get:
v=nℏke2
This is the clean, direct formula. Memorise it — it saves time and prevents algebra errors.
vn=nℏke2=nh2πke2
Mistake 2: Plugging in numbers with inconsistent units
Students use k=9×109 (SI), e=1.6×10−19 C, but then use h=6.63×10−34 J·s — all correct — but forget that ℏ=h/2π, not h itself. This off-by-a-factor-of-2π error is extremely common.
How to avoid: Write ℏ explicitly as h/2π in your formula before substituting numbers. For n=1:
v1=h2πke2
Now substitute: k=9×109, e=1.6×10−19, h=6.63×10−34.
v1=6.63×10−342π(9×109)(1.6×10−19)2
Calculate stepwise: e2=2.56×10−38, so numerator = 2π×9×109×2.56×10−38=2π×2.304×10−28≈1.447×10−27. Divide by 6.63×10−34 to get v1≈2.18×106 m/s.
A quick check: the answer should be about 2.2×106 m/s for n=1. If you get something like 1.4×107 or 3.4×105, you've likely used h instead of ℏ or vice versa.
Mistake 3: Forgetting that v∝1/n
Once you have v1, students sometimes recalculate everything from scratch for n=2 and n=3, wasting time and inviting arithmetic errors.
How to avoid: From the formula vn=nℏke2, it's clear that vn=v1/n. So:
- v2=v1/2≈1.09×106 m/s
- v3=v1/3≈7.27×105 m/s
No need to redo the full substitution.
Mistake 4: Confusing orbital period with frequency
For part (b), students often write T=v2πr but then use the wrong r or forget that r also depends on n.
How to avoid: First, recall that rn=n2a0, where a0=mke2ℏ2≈5.29×10−11 m is the Bohr radius. Then:
Tn=vn2πrn=v1/n2π(n2a0)=v12πa0⋅n3
So Tn∝n3. Calculate T1 once, then multiply by n3 for higher levels.
For n=1:
T1=2.18×1062π(5.29×10−11)≈1.52×10−16 s …
Showing the 12 most recent of 25 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.An electron in the ground state of hydrogen atom is revolving in anti-clockwise direction in a circular orbit. The orbital magnetic moment of the electron is given by (A) 2πh (B) 2πmeh (C) 4πmeh (D) 4πmh
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the gyromagnetic-ratio relation between orbital magnetic moment and angular momentum for the ground-state hydrogen electron; the answer is 4πmeh.
Concept and Intuition
A charge moving in a circular orbit constitutes a tiny current loop, and any current loop has a magnetic moment μ=IA. This can always be re-expressed in terms of the particle's orbital angular momentum L via the classical gyromagnetic ratio μL=2meL, valid regardless of orbit size or speed, as long as we know L. For hydrogen's ground state, the Bohr model fixes L=2πh (i.e., n=1, L=nℏ), so combining the two relations gives the magnetic moment directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Orbital magnetic moment in terms of angular momentum: μL=2meL (standard result for a charge −e orbiting; magnitude used here). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.The energy of an electron in Bohr's hydrogen atom is −3.4 eV. The angular momentum of the electron is (A) π2h (B) 2πh (C) πh (D) 4πh
›Reveal solutionSolution
Identify the orbit number from the given energy, then use Bohr's quantization rule L=nh/2π. E=−3.4 eV corresponds to n=2, giving L=h/π.
Concept and Intuition
In the Bohr model, an electron in the n-th orbit of hydrogen has energy En=−13.6/n2 eV, and its orbital angular momentum is quantized as Ln=nℏ=2πnh — this quantization condition is the postulate that let Bohr explain the discrete hydrogen spectrum.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given En=−3.4 eV. Set −n213.6=−3.4⇒n2=3.413.6=4⇒n=2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.If the ratio of the time periods of the electrons revolving in the first and nth orbits of Hydrogen atom is 1 : 64, then the angular momentum of the electron in the nth excited state of Hydrogen atom is (h – Planck's constant) (A) π3.5h (B) π5h (C) π2.5h (D) π2h
›Reveal solutionSolution
T∝n3 gives orbit n=4; the 'nth (fourth) excited state' means principal number 5, so L=5⋅2πh=π2.5h.
Concept and Intuition
In Bohr's model r∝n2 and v∝1/n, so the period T=v2πr∝n3. The period ratio pins the orbit number. The angular momentum is quantised as L=n2πh.
Step-by-Step Solution
- TnT1=n313=641⇒n3=64⇒n=4.
- The 'nth excited state' with n=4 means the fourth excited state; counting ground =1, 1st excited =2, …, 4th excited corresponds to principal quantum number 5. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.Suppose an electron is attracted towards the origin by a force rK, where K is a constant and r is the distance of the electron from the origin. By applying Bohr model to this system, the radius of the nth orbit of the electron is found to be rn, and the kinetic energy of the electron to be Tn, then which of the following is true? (A) Tn is independent of n, rn∝n (B) Tn∝n1, rn∝n (C) Tn∝n1, rn∝n2 (D) Tn∝n21, rn∝n2
›Reveal solutionSolution
An unusual force law F=K/r makes the orbital speed the same in every Bohr orbit, so kinetic energy doesn't depend on n at all, while quantized angular momentum then forces the radius to grow linearly with n. Answer: (A).
Concept and Intuition
Bohr's model has two ingredients regardless of the force law: (i) the given force supplies the centripetal force for circular motion, and (ii) angular momentum is quantized, mvrn=nℏ. Normally (Coulomb force ∝1/r2) both v and r depend on n in specific ways; here the unusual 1/r force makes the speed itself independent of r (hence of n), which is the key simplifying feature of this problem.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Centripetal condition: rmv2=rK⇒mv2=K, i.e. v=K/m — a constant, the same for every orbit (independent of r or n).
- Kinetic energy: Tn=21mv2=2K — a constant, independent of n.
- Bohr's angular-momentum quantization: mvrn=nℏ. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.An electron has an angular momentum of 90ℏ J−S while orbiting with a linear velocity of π×105 ms−1 then the radius of the orbit is (mass of electron =9×10−3 Kg and Planks Constant =6.6×10−34 J s) (A) 66×10−15 m (B) 33×10−15 m (C) 66×10−10 m (D) 33×10−8 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Angular momentum of a circulating particle is L=mvr, so the orbit radius is r=L/(mv), with L given as a multiple of ℏ=h/2π. Answer: ≈3.3×10−8 m.
Concept and Intuition
For a particle moving in a circular orbit with speed v at radius r, its angular momentum about the center is simply L=mvr (mass times linear momentum times the lever arm, which here is the radius itself since velocity is tangential/perpendicular to the radius vector). Given the angular momentum in units of the reduced Planck constant (L=nℏ), we can invert this relation to solve directly for the radius.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Angular momentum: L=nℏ=n2πh, with n=90, h=6.6×10−34 Js. L=90×2π6.6×10−34=90×1.05×10−34≈9.45×10−33 Js.
- Since L=mvr, the radius is r=mvL.
- Momentum: mv=(9×10−31)×(π×105)≈2.83×10−25 kgm/s. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.The ratio of areas of 2nd and 3rd Bohr's orbits in a doubly ionized Lithium atom is (A) 16 : 81 (B) 4 : 5 (C) 4 : 9 (D) 2 : 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Bohr orbit radius scales as n2, so orbit area scales as n4; for n=2 and n=3 this gives an area ratio of 16:81.
Concept and Intuition
In the Bohr model, rn=Zn2a0. Since Z (here, for doubly-ionised lithium, Z=3) is the same for both orbits being compared, it cancels out in any ratio of radii for the same atom/ion. The area of a circular orbit scales as the square of the radius, so it scales as n4.
Step-by-Step Solution
- rn∝n2/Z; since Z is fixed (same ion, Z=3), rn∝n2.
- Area An=πrn2∝n4.
- Ratio of areas of 2nd and 3rd orbits: A3A2=3424=8116. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.An electron is moving in an orbit of hydrogen atom in which there can be a maximum of six transitions. Another electron is moving in an another orbit of hydrogen atom in which there can be maximum of three transitions. The ratio of the velocity of electrons in these two orbits is (A) 3/4 (B) 5/4 (C) 2/1 (D) 1/2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Maximum-transitions count fixes the principal quantum numbers as n=4 and n=3; since vn∝1/n, their speed ratio is 3/4.
Concept and Intuition
In the Bohr model, an electron in level n can make a transition to any of the (n−1) lower levels, and the total number of distinct spectral lines obtainable from levels 1 to n (or equivalently, the number of possible transitions starting from the topmost level n when all electrons are in it) is (2n)=2n(n−1). Once we know n for each orbit, we use the Bohr result that orbital speed vn=nv1∝n1 — higher orbits move slower.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First orbit: 2n(n−1)=6⇒n(n−1)=12⇒n=4 (since 4×3=12).
- Second orbit: 2n(n−1)=3⇒n(n−1)=6⇒n=3 (since 3×2=6).
- Bohr orbital speed: vn∝n1, so v4∝41 and v3∝31. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.If the angular momenta of electrons in two orbits of hydrogen atom are πh and π1.5h, then the ratio of velocities of electrons in these two orbits is (h - Planck's constant) (A) 3 : 2 (B) 3 : 4 (C) 9 : 4 (D) 1 : 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Converting the given angular momenta to orbit numbers (n1=2,n2=3) and using vn∝1/n gives v1:v2=3:2.
Concept and Intuition
Bohr's quantization condition states the angular momentum of an electron in the n-th orbit is Ln=n2πh. Also, from the Bohr model, the orbital speed is vn=2ε0nhZe2, i.e. vn∝n1 — electrons in higher (larger) orbits move slower. So once we identify which orbit numbers correspond to the given angular momenta, the velocity ratio follows immediately by inverting the n ratio.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First orbit: L1=πh=n12πh⟹n1=2.
- Second orbit: L2=π1.5h=n22πh⟹n2=3. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.The ratio of the time periods of the revolution of the electrons in the second and third excited states of hydrogen atom is (A) 9:16 (B) 27:64 (C) 4:9 (D) 8:27
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Bohr's model, the orbital period scales as n3; for n=3 (second excited) and n=4 (third excited) the ratio is 27:64.
Concept and Intuition
In the Bohr model, orbit radius grows as rn∝n2 while orbital speed falls as vn∝1/n. The time period is Tn=vn2πrn, so combining these gives Tn∝n2×n=n3 — outer orbits take dramatically longer to complete one revolution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify the principal quantum numbers: ground state is n=1, so first excited =n=2, second excited =n=3, third excited =n=4.
- Since Tn∝n3: T4T3=4333=6427. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.If the angular momentum of an electron in the second orbit of hydrogen atom is J, then the angular momentum of an electron in the third excited state of hydrogen atom is (A) 2 J (B) 3 J (C) 4 J (D) 6 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Bohr's angular momentum quantization (Ln∝n) turns the given L2=J into L4=2J for the third excited state (n=4).
Concept and Intuition
Bohr's model postulates that the angular momentum of an electron in the n-th orbit is quantized as Ln=2πnh — it simply scales linearly with the orbit number n. The key subtlety here is counting orbits correctly: the ground state is n=1, so the "first excited state" is n=2, the "second excited state" is n=3, and the "third excited state" is n=4.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: angular momentum in the second orbit (n=2) is J. So L2=2π2h=J, giving 2πh=2J.
- Identify the third excited state: ground state n=1 → 1st excited n=2 → 2nd excited n=3 → 3rd excited n=4. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.μ – meson of charge 'e', mass 208 me moves in a circular orbit around a heavy nucleus having charge +3e. The quantum state 'n' for which the radius of the orbit is same as that of the first Bohr orbit for hydrogen atom is [approximately] (A) n≈20 (B) n≈25 (C) n≈28 (D) n≈29
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Bohr radius scales as n2/(Z⋅m); matching the muon's orbit radius (Z=3, m=208
electron masses) to hydrogen's first Bohr radius gives n2=624, i.e. n≈25.
Concept and Intuition
The Bohr model radius for a hydrogen-like system is rn=Zme2/(4πϵ0)n2ℏ2∝Zmn2 (for fixed fundamental constants), where m is the orbiting
particle's mass. A heavier, more charge-attracted particle (the muon, with m=208me around
Z=3) needs a much larger quantum number n to reach the same radius as the electron's smallest
hydrogen orbit.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write rn(muon)=Zn2⋅mμmea0, where a0 is hydrogen's first Bohr radius (with n=1,Z=1,m=me).
- We want rn(muon)=a0 (matches the first Bohr orbit of hydrogen). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.The speed of the electron is a hydrogen atom in the n=3 level is (Plank constant =6.6×10−34 Js) (A) 6.2×105 ms−1 (B) 3.7×105 ms−1 (C) 7.3×105 ms−1 (D) 1.6×105 ms−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Bohr-model orbital speed scales as 1/n; using the standard first-orbit speed of hydrogen, the n=3 speed comes out to about 7.3×105 m/s.
Concept and Intuition
In Bohr's model, angular momentum is quantized (mvr=nh/2π) and the Coulomb force provides centripetal force. Solving these together gives an orbital speed vn=2ε0nhe2=nv1 for hydrogen, where v1≈2.18×106 ms−1 is the speed in the ground state (n=1). Higher orbits therefore have progressively lower orbital speeds.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Use vn=v1/n with v1=2.18×106 ms−1 (standard hydrogen ground-state speed, consistent with e2/2ε0h using the given Planck constant).
- For n=3: v3=2.18×106/3=7.27×105 ms−1. …
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