Bohr Model (Hydrogen-like Atom)

Watch an electron drop between energy levels of a hydrogen-like atom and see the photon it gives off — pick the levels and the nuclear charge, and read the wavelength, energy and which series the line belongs to.

Still frame from the Bohr Model (Hydrogen-like Atom) simulation
Free to run with an account

What you can adjust

Nuclear charge (Z)
1 – 3

How many protons the nucleus carries. Z=1 is hydrogen; Z=2 is singly-ionized helium (He+); Z=3 is doubly-ionized lithium (Li2+). A higher Z pulls the electron in tighter, so every transition emits a more energetic (shorter-wavelength) photon.

Initial level (n_i)
2 – 6

The energy level the electron starts on before it drops. Must be higher than the final level.

Final level (n_f)
1 – 5

The energy level the electron drops to, emitting a photon. n_f=1 is the Lyman series, n_f=2 is Balmer (the only series with lines in visible light), n_f=3 is Paschen, and so on.

Animation duration
1 – 4 s

How long the clip runs — the electron orbits on the initial level, drops, then orbits on the final level.