Timeline: Niels Bohr - An Accomplished Physicist

Oct 7, 1885

Born

Niels Bohr was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to Christian Bohr, a professor of physiology at Copenhagen University and a wealthy Jewish mother, Ellen Adler

1911

Doctorate in Physics

Bohr earned his Doctorate in Physics at Copenhagen University

1913

Bohr Model

The Bohr Model, a model of the atomic structure, was developed and published - the first true visualization and understanding of the nature of the atom which was inspired by J.J. Balmer’s formula describing the spectrum of the hydrogen atom.

1918

The Correspondence Principle

The “Correspondence principle” was published and was described as any new concepts or theories pertaining to atomic phenomena that must be proven and applicable in conventional physics. He was previously known to explain it as “the relation between classical and quantum mechanics”(Bukulich).

Mar 3, 1921

Institute of Theoretical Physics

Bohr founded the Institute of Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen to which he remained director until his death. The inspiration of the institute was in relation to poor conditions and lack of proper laboratories at the University of Copenhagen. Watch video of the current light artwork placed on the front of the institute. The artwork is directly connected to a physics experiment in Switzerland.
https://nbi.ku.dk/english/about/nbi_colliderscope/

1922

Nobel Prize

Bohr won the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Albert Einstein, Ernest Rutherford and Max Planck for their work in nuclear physics, a newly accepted concept for the Nobel Foundation.

Oct 24, 1927

The 5th Solvay Conference

Bohr's Complementarity concept was a consensus-based result of the Solvay Conference where 29 world famous physicists met to discuss quantum theory. Einstein and Bohr had deep debates about the relationship between relative and quantum mechanics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GZdZUouzBY

1936

"Liquid drop" concept

The “liquid drop” model was developed thus leading to the understanding of nuclear fission and explaining the force needed to create the splitting of an atom.

1943

World War II

Bohr flees to Sweden, England and America from invading German forces who wanted Bohr for their own nuclear research during World War II. The Germans consequently occupied the Institute of Theoretical Physics.

Jun 9, 1950

Open Letter

After the war, Bohr addressed an “open letter” to the United Nations advocating peaceful use of nuclear energy

Nov 18, 1962

Death

Bohr died in Copenhagen, Denmark and is buried there at Assistens Cemetery