NTH Orbit Assignment

Department of Polymer & Petrochemicals Engineering
NED University of Engineering and Technology
TOPIC
Derivation for radius of orbit of Hydrogen atom from
Bohr’s atomic model postulates and Nature of variation of
the radius with
Name: Muhammad Hassan Noor

Roll No: PP-029
Course Code & Course title: Applied Physics (PH-122)
Submitted to: Sir Eng. M. Umair Hassan
Batch: 2024
1
TABLE OF CONTENT
Titles: Page no.
Introduction Page 03
Postulates of Bohr’s Atomic model Page 03
Derivation for the 𝑛𝑡ℎ orbit of Hydrogen atom Page 04
Nature of Variation of the Radius with 𝑛 Page 06
Conclusion Page 06
2
Postulates of Bohr’s Atomic Model
Neil’s Bohr introduced a model for the hydrogen atom that combined classical mechanics with
quantum concepts. His model was based on three key postulates:
1. Electron moves in circular orbits around the nucleus: The electron moves in circular
orbits around the nucleus under the influence of the Coulomb force of attraction between
the positively charged proton and the negatively charged electron. These orbits are stable,
and the electron does not emit radiation as long as it stays in these specific orbits.
2. Quantization of Angular Momentum: The angular momentum of the electron in the
n − th orbit is quantized and can only take discrete values. The allowed values of angular
momentum are given by:
𝐿 = 𝑛ℏ
Where:
o 𝑛 is a positive integer (the principal quantum number),

o ℏ is the reduced Planck’s constant (ℏ = ).
3. Radiation is emitted or absorbed when the electron jumps between orbits: When an
electron moves between two energy levels, it emits or absorbs energy in discrete amounts
(quanta). The energy difference between two orbits is released or absorbed as
electromagnetic radiation.
Derivation for the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 orbit of Hydrogen Atom:

Step 1: Quantization of Angular Momentum
From the first postulate, we know the electron moves in a circular orbit. The angular momentum
of an electron in a circular orbit is given by:
3
𝐿 = 𝑚𝑣𝑟
Where,
 𝑚 is equal to mass of the electron

 𝑣 is the speed of the electron in the orbit
 𝑟 is the radius of the orbit
According to the second postulate, the angular momentum is quantized and is given by:
𝐿 = 𝑛ℏ
Equating the two expressions for angular momentum:
𝑚𝑣𝑟 = 𝑛ℏ
Solving for 𝑣 the speed of electron:
𝑛ℏ
𝑣=
𝑚𝑟
Step 2: Coulomb force and Centripetal Force

Next, consider the forces acting on the electron in the orbit.
 The centripetal force that keeps the electron in its circular orbit is given by:
𝑚𝑣
𝐹 =
𝑟
The electrostatic force between the electron and the proton (due to their opposite charges) is
given by Coulomb's law:
1 𝑒
𝐹 =
4𝜋𝜖 𝑟
Where,
 𝑒 is the charge of the electron

 𝜖 is the permittivity of free space
 𝑟 is the radius of the orbit
4
For the electron to stay in a stable orbit, the centripetal force must be equal to the electrostatic
force:
𝐹𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐹
Substitute the respective expressions for these forces:
𝑚𝑣2 1 𝑒
=
𝑟 4𝜋𝜖 𝑟
Step 3: Substituting 𝒗 and Solving for 𝒓
Now, substitute the value of 𝑣 from Step 1 into this equation:
𝑛ℏ
𝑚( )
𝑚𝑟 = 1 𝑒
𝑟 4𝜋𝜖 𝑟
Simplifying the left-hand side:
𝑚𝑛 ℏ 1 𝑒
=
𝑚 𝑟 4𝜋𝜖 𝑟
Cancel 𝑚 from both sides:
𝑛 ℏ 𝑒
=
𝑚𝑟 4𝜋𝜖 𝑟
Multiply both sides by 𝑟 to eliminate 𝑟 in the denominator:
𝑚𝑒 𝑟
𝑛 ℏ =
4𝜋𝑒
Solve for 𝑟:
4𝜋𝜖 𝑛 ℏ
𝑟=
𝑚𝑒
Or
4𝜋𝜖 𝑛 ℏ
𝑟 =
𝑚𝑒
This above expression determines the radius of the 𝑛𝑡ℎ orbit of hydrogen atom.
5
Where,
 𝑛 is the Principle quantum number

 ℏ is the reduced Plank’s constant
 𝑚 is the mass of the electron
 𝑒 is the charge of the electron
 𝜖 is the permittivity of free space.
Nature of Variation of the Radius with 𝒏 (Principle Quantum Number):

ℏ
From the expression 𝑟 = , we can see that the radius of the 𝑛𝑡ℎ orbit varies as the
square of the principle quantum number 𝑛.
 As 𝒏 increases, the radius 𝑟 increases, meaning the electron moves farther from the
nucleus as the quantum number increases.
 The relationship is quadratic: The radius increases by a factor of four when 𝑛 is
doubled. This indicates that the electron's orbit expands rapidly as the principal quantum
number increases.
Thus, the radius of the electron's orbit increases significantly with increasing 𝑛, and the electron
is found farther from the nucleus in higher energy levels (higher 𝑛-values). This behavior is
consistent with the fact that higher orbits correspond to higher energy levels in the atom.
Conclusion
ℏ
The radius of the 𝑛𝑡ℎ orbit of the hydrogen atom is given by 𝑟 = this shows that the
radius increases with the square of the principal quantum number 𝑛, meaning that higher orbits
are progressively farther from the nucleus. This result explains the structure of hydrogen atom
energy levels and the behavior of electrons in different quantum states.

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Department of Polymer & Petrochemicals Engineering

NED University of Engineering and Technology

Name: Muhammad Hassan Noor

Titles: Page no.

Postulates of Bohr’s Atomic model Page 03

Derivation for the 𝑛𝑡ℎ orbit of Hydrogen atom Page 04

Nature of Variation of the Radius with 𝑛 Page 06

o 𝑛 is a positive integer (the principal quantum number),

Derivation for the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 orbit of Hydrogen Atom:

 𝑚 is equal to mass of the electron

Equating the two expressions for angular momentum:

Solving for 𝑣 the speed of electron:

Step 2: Coulomb force and Centripetal Force

 𝑒 is the charge of the electron

Substitute the respective expressions for these forces:

Step 3: Substituting 𝒗 and Solving for 𝒓

Now, substitute the value of 𝑣 from Step 1 into this equation:

Simplifying the left-hand side:

Cancel 𝑚 from both sides:

Multiply both sides by 𝑟 to eliminate 𝑟 in the denominator:

 𝑛 is the Principle quantum number

Nature of Variation of the Radius with 𝒏 (Principle Quantum Number):

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