It can be very difficult for students to envision and understand atomic models and electrons jumping to various energy levels. Help them by patiently providing extra focus on Bohr's atomic model and in explaining electron behavior within the energy levels of atoms.
Electrons jump energy levels because each level has a specific amount of energy required for the level. If the energy is greater or smaller, the electron changes levels. When it gets more energy, it moves to a level closer to the nucleus. When it gets less energy, it moves further from the nucleus.
Bohr Model
Niels Bohr is famous for depicting the atom as a nucleus with a positive charge surrounded by electrons which orbit around it at various levels depending on their energy. The Bohr model is used to introduce students to the theory of quantum physics.
Bohr predicted that the electrons travel within the atom at a specific distance from the nucleus based on the energy levels of the electron. Electrons don't lose energy as they travel. Rather, the change in energy occurs because they jump from one energy level to another, causing them to absorb or emit electromagnetic radiation.
Energy Levels
As electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom, it occupies an energy level. The closer an electron is to the nucleus, the more negative it is. The most negative level is called n=1, the second most negative level is n=2, and so on.
Electrons jump between the various energy levels. If they jump to a more negative, or lower energy level, they release a photon. If they jump to a less negative, or higher energy level, they must absorb a photon. A photon is a form of electromagnetic energy which is considered both a wave and a particle. They are created or destroyed when radiation is emitted or absorbed.
Electrons Absorbing and Emitting Energy
When a photon is absorbed by an electron, giving it higher energy, the photon is completely destroyed. All of the energy of the photon goes to the electron, and it jumps to a new energy level.
This is the opposite of an electron absorbing energy. When an electron emits energy, is creates a photon and the electron has lower energy. As the photon is created, the energy of the electron becomes less, and it falls to a lower energy level. The electron doesn't gather the photon from some storage, it creates it instantly from the vacuum within the atom.
Extra Lesson Ideas to Further Understanding of the Bohr Model
- A fun way to emphasize the importance of understanding atomic models and Bohr's theories is with this online fireworks presentation.
- Have the students draw Bohr diagrams for various elements.
- Try some fun ideas for creating atomic models.
- Don't forget to include teaching about stable and unstable atoms.
At the end of lessons on Bohr's atomic model and electrons changing energy levels, students should have increased both their scientific knowledge and their enthusiasm for learning a potentially challenging subject. Once students have a strong foundation on this subject, they will find other scientific topics to be more readily comprehensible, from identifying elements to quantum physics.
References:
Physical Science [Prentice Hall, 1991]
Exploring Physical Science Teacher's Edition [Prentice Hall, 1997]
Angela Kleinow - I graduated from the University of Michigan, where I focused on Science Fiction and Fantasy for my senior seminar while working with the ...
Join the Conversation