Atomic Spectra

Question 3 • Crowley Credit Recovery Physics B

What is the main difference between the Schrödinger model and the Bohr atomic model?

Answer

Schrödinger believed that electrons could only exist in orbits, but Bohr stated that electrons could be found anywhere in the atom.

Bohr believed electron orbits were circular, but Schrödinger’s equations represent complex shapes describing the probable locations of electrons.

The Bohr model did not explain the emission and absorption spectrum, but the energy levels described by Schrödinger explained this property.

Bohr believed that the electrons circle the nucleus because positive particles attract negative particles, while Schrödinger believed that an electron was a wave.

Explanation

Bohr pictured electrons moving around the nucleus in fixed, circular orbits. In the Schrödinger model, electrons are described by wave functions, which give the probability of finding them in different regions and produce orbitals with varied shapes. Therefore, choice B correctly contrasts Bohr’s circular orbits with Schrödinger’s probability-based electron shapes.

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