Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

The Hydrogen Atom and Its Colorful Photons

Frank S. Levin

Published Sep 21, 2017• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract The energies, kets and wave functions obtained from the Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom are examined in Chapter 9. Three quantum numbers are identified. The energies turn out to be the same as in the Bohr model, and an energy-level diagram appropriate to the quantum description is constructed. Graphs of the probability distributions are interpreted as the electron being in a “cloud” around the proton, rather than at a fixed position: the atom is fuzzy, not sharp-edged. The wavelengths of the five photons of the Balmer series are shown to be in the visible range. These photons are emitted when electrons transition from higher-excited states to the second lowest one, which means that electronic-type transitions underlie the presence of colors in our visible environment. The non-collapse of the atom, required by classical physics, is shown to arise from the structure of Schrödinger’s equation.

DOI
10.1093/oso/9780198808275.003.0010

Related papers

Bohr’s Model of Hydrogen Atom: A Review

Robert Wilson

This chapter has provided an alternate method of solving simple problems in atomic physics under Bohr’s model to aid good mental picture of hydrogen atom to scientists. Two values of fundamental physical properties of an electron in the hydrogen atom has been identified. By limiting the orbiting electrons to a series of circular orbits having discrete radii, Bohr could account for the series of discrete wavelengths in the emission spectrum of hydrogen. Light, he proposed, radiated from hydrogen atoms only when an electron made a transition from an outer orbit to one closer to the nucleus. These physical properties (Ve = 174090.938ms-1& Pe = 1.585860888 × 10-25kgms-1) are constant in nature. The aim for the review was to contribute to the solution of disagreement between the Bohr’s wavelength (\(\lambda\)0 = 91.12nm) and the Balmer’s experimental observation (\(\lambda\)0 = 91.18nm) for the emission spectrum of hydrogen atom. There are two other constants \(\delta\) = 7.199822 × 10-10 eVm and \(\zeta\) = 1503796277m-1 that were identified in the Bohr’s equation of the hydrogen atom. The four fundamental physical constants can be applied to multi-electron systems because they are inherent characteristics of an electron. They can also be derived from the steady state hydrogen atom Schrodinger's equation. For a deeper understanding, these constants may be scrutinised for their determination. The study recommends that current quantum atomic models and equations governing quantum physics should be revisited for better applications and understanding of the physical world.

Book Publisher International (a part of SCIENCEDOMAIN International)•Jun 8, 2023•0 citations

The Hydrogen-Like Atom

Uri Peskin

The mere existence of stable atoms, and their arrangement into many-atom nanoscale structures, can only be explained by the laws of quantum mechanics. Indeed, the accumulated evidence regarding the internal structure of atoms motivated the formulation of quantum mechanics at the early twentieth century. Here we focus on single-electron (hydrogen-like) atoms. The dominance of the Coulomb central potential between the electron and nucleus, translates into a simple Schrödinger equation for their relative position distribution. Solving rigorously this equation reveals quantized energy levels, which explains the emission spectra of hydrogen-like atoms (Rydberg formula). The corresponding stationary probability density distributions for the electron around the nucleus are reminiscent of the Bohr model, where classical trajectories (orbits) are replaced by single-electron wave functions (orbitals). The degeneracies of different orbitals, associated with three quantum numbers, will later turn out to be critical for understanding many-electron atoms and the periodic table of the elements.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•May 11, 2023•0 citations

Quantized Energy

A. J. Norton

The concept of quantized energy lies at the heart of quantum physics. It is shown that the visible spectrum of hydrogen consists of five spectral lines, each with a particular energy. These are shown to correspond to transitions or quantum jumps between particular energy levels of the hydrogen atom. The energy-level diagram for hydrogen is particularly simple, with the values of the energy levels from the ground state to the excited states dependent only on the principal quantum number. Spectral lines in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared are referred to as the Lyman series, the Balmer series, and the Paschen series respectively. Other quantum numbers including the orbital quantum number, the magnetic quantum number, and the spin quantum number are introduced and the rules for combining them are described. Spectroscopic notation to describe quantum states is also explained. The 21 cm radio emission is shown to be a consequence of the spin-flip transition in hydrogen. Other quantum systems, such as molecules, are briefly described.

CRC Press eBooks•Mar 16, 2021•0 citations

Quantum Theory of Hydrogen Atom

Z. Ficek

This chapter considers Schrodinger's model of hydrogen atom and analyzes in details the quantum wave mechanics approach to the motion of the electron in the hydrogen atom. The stationary Schrodinger equation is not easy to solve as it stands, and the whole problem looks rather complicated when expressed in terms of Cartesian coordinates. An essential difference between Bohr's and Schrodinger's models is that there are three quantum numbers, n , l , m , rather than the one number n describing a state of the electron. Moreover, in Bohr's model the atom is, at each instant, in one and only one energy state, that is., at each instant, the state of the atom is definite, but according to Schrodinger's model, the atom can exist in a superposition of states. In other words, the atom can be simultaneously in more than one energy state at a given instant. This is clearly incompatible with Bohr's model.

•Mar 3, 2017•0 citations

A Review of the Bohr’s Model of Hydrogen Atom

Robert Wilson

In this paper, the classical Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom has been revisited. Two values of fundamental physical properties of an electron in the hydrogen atom has been identified. These physical properties ( & ) are constant in nature. The aim for the review was to contribute to the solution of disagreement between the Bohr’s wavelength ( ) and the Balmer’s experimental observation ( ) for the emission spectrum of hydrogen atom. There are two other constants and that were identified in the Bohr’s equation of the hydrogen atom. The four fundamental physical constants are intrinsic properties of an electron and can be applied to multi-electron system. They can also be obtained from Schrodinger’s equation for hydrogen atom at steady state. These constants may be subjected to scrutiny for their determination for better understanding. Also, since Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom is based on classical mechanics, this paper has provided an alternate method of solving simple problems in atomic physics under Bohr’s model to aid good mental picture of hydrogen atom to scientists.

Physical Science International Journal•Aug 19, 2021•1 citation

A quantum model of atoms (the energy levels of atoms)

FranÇois Rafie

In 1913, Niels Bohr developed an accurate model for the hydrogen atom. The mathematics involved and the simplicity of this model is easily understood. The intention of the paper is not to replace Bohr's model, but to find a similar model for all atoms. The model discussed, which was developed on the same basis as Bohr's model for the hydrogen atom, calculates the radii and the energies of the orbits. The wavelength of an emitted photon when an electron makes a ‘jump’ from a higher state to a lower state can also be calculated from the model. Finally, the paper demonstrates that the model obeys the de Broglie's hypothesis that the moving electron exhibits both wave and particle properties.

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology•Mar 1, 2001•1 citation
Abstract The energies, kets and wave functions obtained from the Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom are examined in Chapter 9. Three quantum numbers are identified. The energies turn out to be the same as in the Bohr model, and an energy-level diagram appropriate to the quantum description is constructed. Graphs of the probability distributions are interpreted as the electron being in a “cloud” around the proton, rather than at a fixed position: the atom is fuzzy, not sharp-edged. The wavelengths of the five photons of the Balmer series are shown to be in the visible range. These photons are emitted when electrons transition from higher-excited states to the second lowest one, which means that electronic-type transitions underlie the presence of colors in our visible environment. The non-collapse of the atom, required by classical physics, is shown to arise from the structure of Schrödinger’s equation.
This chapter has provided an alternate method of solving simple problems in atomic physics under Bohr’s model to aid good mental picture of hydrogen atom to scientists. Two values of fundamental physical properties of an electron in the hydrogen atom has been identified. By limiting the orbiting electrons to a series of circular orbits having discrete radii, Bohr could account for the series of discrete wavelengths in the emission spectrum of hydrogen. Light, he proposed, radiated from hydrogen atoms only when an electron made a transition from an outer orbit to one closer to the nucleus. These physical properties (Ve = 174090.938ms-1& Pe = 1.585860888 × 10-25kgms-1) are constant in nature. The aim for the review was to contribute to the solution of disagreement between the Bohr’s wavelength (λ\lambdaλ0 = 91.12nm) and the Balmer’s experimental observation (λ\lambdaλ0 = 91.18nm) for the emission spectrum of hydrogen atom. There are two other constants δ\deltaδ = 7.199822 × 10-10 eVm and ζ\zetaζ = 1503796277m-1 that were identified in the Bohr’s equation of the hydrogen atom. The four fundamental physical constants can be applied to multi-electron systems because they are inherent characteristics of an electron. They can also be derived from the steady state hydrogen atom Schrodinger's equation. For a deeper understanding, these constants may be scrutinised for their determination. The study recommends that current quantum atomic models and equations governing quantum physics should be revisited for better applications and understanding of the physical world.
The mere existence of stable atoms, and their arrangement into many-atom nanoscale structures, can only be explained by the laws of quantum mechanics. Indeed, the accumulated evidence regarding the internal structure of atoms motivated the formulation of quantum mechanics at the early twentieth century. Here we focus on single-electron (hydrogen-like) atoms. The dominance of the Coulomb central potential between the electron and nucleus, translates into a simple Schrödinger equation for their relative position distribution. Solving rigorously this equation reveals quantized energy levels, which explains the emission spectra of hydrogen-like atoms (Rydberg formula). The corresponding stationary probability density distributions for the electron around the nucleus are reminiscent of the Bohr model, where classical trajectories (orbits) are replaced by single-electron wave functions (orbitals). The degeneracies of different orbitals, associated with three quantum numbers, will later turn out to be critical for understanding many-electron atoms and the periodic table of the elements.
The concept of quantized energy lies at the heart of quantum physics. It is shown that the visible spectrum of hydrogen consists of five spectral lines, each with a particular energy. These are shown to correspond to transitions or quantum jumps between particular energy levels of the hydrogen atom. The energy-level diagram for hydrogen is particularly simple, with the values of the energy levels from the ground state to the excited states dependent only on the principal quantum number. Spectral lines in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared are referred to as the Lyman series, the Balmer series, and the Paschen series respectively. Other quantum numbers including the orbital quantum number, the magnetic quantum number, and the spin quantum number are introduced and the rules for combining them are described. Spectroscopic notation to describe quantum states is also explained. The 21 cm radio emission is shown to be a consequence of the spin-flip transition in hydrogen. Other quantum systems, such as molecules, are briefly described.
This chapter considers Schrodinger's model of hydrogen atom and analyzes in details the quantum wave mechanics approach to the motion of the electron in the hydrogen atom. The stationary Schrodinger equation is not easy to solve as it stands, and the whole problem looks rather complicated when expressed in terms of Cartesian coordinates. An essential difference between Bohr's and Schrodinger's models is that there are three quantum numbers, n , l , m , rather than the one number n describing a state of the electron. Moreover, in Bohr's model the atom is, at each instant, in one and only one energy state, that is., at each instant, the state of the atom is definite, but according to Schrodinger's model, the atom can exist in a superposition of states. In other words, the atom can be simultaneously in more than one energy state at a given instant. This is clearly incompatible with Bohr's model.
In this paper, the classical Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom has been revisited. Two values of fundamental physical properties of an electron in the hydrogen atom has been identified. These physical properties ( & ) are constant in nature. The aim for the review was to contribute to the solution of disagreement between the Bohr’s wavelength ( ) and the Balmer’s experimental observation ( ) for the emission spectrum of hydrogen atom. There are two other constants and that were identified in the Bohr’s equation of the hydrogen atom. The four fundamental physical constants are intrinsic properties of an electron and can be applied to multi-electron system. They can also be obtained from Schrodinger’s equation for hydrogen atom at steady state. These constants may be subjected to scrutiny for their determination for better understanding. Also, since Bohr’s model of hydrogen atom is based on classical mechanics, this paper has provided an alternate method of solving simple problems in atomic physics under Bohr’s model to aid good mental picture of hydrogen atom to scientists.
In 1913, Niels Bohr developed an accurate model for the hydrogen atom. The mathematics involved and the simplicity of this model is easily understood. The intention of the paper is not to replace Bohr's model, but to find a similar model for all atoms. The model discussed, which was developed on the same basis as Bohr's model for the hydrogen atom, calculates the radii and the energies of the orbits. The wavelength of an emitted photon when an electron makes a ‘jump’ from a higher state to a lower state can also be calculated from the model. Finally, the paper demonstrates that the model obeys the de Broglie's hypothesis that the moving electron exhibits both wave and particle properties.