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Suppose a particle of mass $m$ is moving in a circular orbit due to constant centripetal force $F$ (instead of gravity). Using Bohr's quantization condition $mvr = nh/2\pi$, the radius $r$ and velocity $v$ of the particle in the $n$-th orbit are:
Options
1
$r \propto n^2, v \propto 1/n$
2
$r \propto n, v \propto n$
3
$r \propto n^{2/3}, v \propto n^{1/3}$
4
$r \propto n^{1/2}, v \propto n^{-1/2}$
Correct Answer
$r \propto n^{2/3},\ v \propto n^{1/3}$
Solution
1

Centripetal force = constant $F$:

$$F = \frac{mv^2}{r} \implies v^2 = \frac{Fr}{m} \quad \cdots (1)$$

Bohr quantization: $mvr = \dfrac{nh}{2\pi} \implies v = \dfrac{nh}{2\pi mr} \quad \cdots (2)$

2

Square (2) and equate with (1):

$$\frac{n^2h^2}{4\pi^2 m^2 r^2} = \frac{Fr}{m} \implies r^3 = \frac{n^2h^2}{4\pi^2 mF} \implies \boxed{r \propto n^{2/3}}$$$$v = \frac{nh}{2\pi mr} \propto \frac{n}{r} \propto \frac{n}{n^{2/3}} = \boxed{n^{1/3}}$$
Constant force: $r \propto n^{2/3}$, $v \propto n^{1/3}$
Compare Hydrogen ($F \propto 1/r^2$): $r \propto n^2$, $v \propto 1/n$
Theory: Atoms and Nuclei
1. Bohr Model of Hydrogen Atom

Bohr (1913) postulated: (1) Electrons move in circular orbits without radiating. (2) Angular momentum quantized: $L = mvr = nh/(2\pi) = n\hbar$. (3) Radiation emitted/absorbed when electron transitions between orbits: $h\nu = E_i - E_f$. Results for hydrogen: $r_n = a_0 n^2$ where $a_0 = 0.529$ Å (Bohr radius). $v_n = v_1/n$ where $v_1 = 2.18\times 10^6$ m/s. $E_n = -13.6/n^2$ eV.

2. Generalized Bohr Model

For different force laws: Force $F = mv^2/r$ (centripetal condition). Bohr: $mvr = n\hbar$. Two equations, two unknowns ($r$ and $v$). For $F = $ constant: $r \propto n^{2/3}$, $v \propto n^{1/3}$. For $F = kr/r^2 = k/r^2$ (Coulomb): $r \propto n^2$, $v \propto n^{-1}$. For $F = kr$ (spring): $r \propto n^{1/2}$, $v \propto n^{1/2}$. General force $F \propto r^{-s}$: $r \propto n^{2/(s+1)}$.

3. Hydrogen Spectrum

Energy levels: $E_n = -13.6/n^2$ eV. Spectral series (transitions to $n_f$): Lyman ($n_f=1$): UV. Balmer ($n_f=2$): visible ($H_\alpha = 656$ nm red, $H_\beta = 486$ nm blue-green). Paschen ($n_f=3$): IR. Brackett ($n_f=4$): IR. Pfund ($n_f=5$): far IR. Rydberg formula: $1/\lambda = R_H(1/n_f^2 - 1/n_i^2)$ where $R_H = 1.097\times 10^7$ m$^{-1}$.

4. de Broglie Wavelength

$\lambda = h/(mv) = h/p$. Bohr condition $mvr = n\hbar$ is equivalent to $2\pi r = n\lambda$ (standing wave condition: circumference = integer number of wavelengths). This gives the wave interpretation of Bohr orbits. For electron in $n$th orbit of H: $\lambda_n = 2\pi r_n / n = 2\pi a_0 n$. Davisson-Germer experiment (1927) confirmed wave nature of electrons.

5. Nuclear Physics

Nucleus contains protons ($Z$) and neutrons ($N$). Mass number $A = Z + N$. Nuclear radius: $R = R_0 A^{1/3}$ where $R_0 = 1.2\times 10^{-15}$ m. Nuclear density $\approx 2.3\times 10^{17}$ kg/m$^3$ (same for all nuclei!). Binding energy per nucleon: peaks near Fe-56 (most stable). Fission: heavy nuclei split (U-235, Pu-239). Fusion: light nuclei combine (H isotopes). Both release energy via $E = mc^2$.

6. Radioactive Decay

$N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}$. Decay constant $\lambda$, half-life $t_{1/2} = \ln 2/\lambda = 0.693/\lambda$. Activity $A = \lambda N = A_0 e^{-\lambda t}$. Types: Alpha ($^4_2$He nucleus), Beta$^-$ (electron), Beta$^+$ (positron), Gamma (photon). Alpha: stopped by paper. Beta: stopped by Al foil. Gamma: reduced by thick Pb/concrete. Units: Becquerel (Bq) = 1 decay/s. Curie (Ci) = $3.7\times 10^{10}$ Bq.

7. X-rays

Produced when fast electrons hit a metal target. Two types: Characteristic X-rays: electron knocks out inner shell electron; outer electron falls in, emits X-ray photon. $K_\alpha$: L→K transition. $K_\beta$: M→K. Moseley law: $\sqrt{\nu} \propto (Z - b)$ (used to determine atomic number). Continuous (Bremsstrahlung): electron decelerates, emits photon. Minimum wavelength (maximum energy): $\lambda_{min} = hc/(eV)$. Applications: medical imaging, crystallography (Bragg diffraction), security scanning.

8. Photoelectric Effect

Einstein (1905): light consists of photons, energy $E = h\nu$. Photoelectric equation: $KE_{max} = h\nu - \phi$ where $\phi = h\nu_0$ = work function. Threshold frequency $\nu_0$: minimum frequency for emission. Stopping potential $V_0$: $eV_0 = KE_{max}$. Key observations: (1) Instantaneous emission (no time lag). (2) $KE_{max}$ depends on $\nu$, not intensity. (3) Intensity affects number of electrons, not their energy. Classical wave theory failed to explain these — needed quantum (photon) theory.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does constant force give $r \propto n^{2/3}$ instead of $r \propto n^2$?
In hydrogen, force $F = ke^2/r^2$. Substituting into the two Bohr equations gives $r \propto n^2$. With constant force $F = $ const, the force equation $mv^2/r = F$ gives $v^2 = Fr/m$ — different $r$-dependence. This changes how $r$ and $n$ relate. The key step: substitute $v$ from Bohr condition into force equation. Different force laws → different $(r,n)$ relationships. This tests understanding of the Bohr model beyond memorization.
2. What is the general method for any force law?
Step 1: Write centripetal equation $F = mv^2/r$, express $v^2$ in terms of $r$. Step 2: Write Bohr condition $mvr = n\hbar$, express $v$ in terms of $r$ and $n$. Step 3: Square the expression from Step 2 and equate with Step 1. Step 4: Solve for $r$ as a function of $n$ (get the power law $r \propto n^p$). Step 5: Substitute back to get $v \propto n^q$. Works for any force law $F = kr^{-s}$: gives $r \propto n^{2/(s+1)}$.
3. What is the de Broglie interpretation of Bohr quantization?
Bohr condition $mvr = n\hbar = nh/(2\pi)$ can be rewritten as $2\pi r = n(h/mv) = n\lambda$ where $\lambda = h/mv$ is the de Broglie wavelength. This means: only those orbits are allowed where the circumference equals an integer number of de Broglie wavelengths. The electron forms a standing wave around the orbit. This gives a beautiful wave-mechanical interpretation of Bohr's seemingly ad hoc quantization rule.
4. How does the energy scale with $n$ for constant force?
$r \propto n^{2/3}$, $v \propto n^{1/3}$. $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \propto v^2 \propto n^{2/3}$. $PE = -Fr$ (for constant force, $PE = -Fr$) $\propto -n^{2/3}$. Total $E = KE + PE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 - Fr = \frac{Fr}{2} - Fr = -\frac{Fr}{2} \propto -n^{2/3}$. Compare hydrogen: $E_n \propto -1/n^2$. For constant force: energy increases with $n$ (less bound in higher orbits), as expected.
5. What are the limitations of Bohr model?
Bohr model works well for hydrogen and hydrogen-like ions (He$^+$, Li$^{2+}$). Limitations: fails for multi-electron atoms (cannot handle electron-electron interactions). Cannot explain fine structure (spin-orbit coupling). Cannot explain hyperfine structure. Cannot explain Zeeman effect completely. No explanation for spectral line intensities. Wave function interpretation missing. Replaced by quantum mechanics (Schrodinger equation, 1926) which resolves all these issues. Bohr model remains useful as a simple first approximation.
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