*cue drum roll* THE CAKE IS FINISHED

While I'm sure the past four posts on the glorious accomplishments of Bohr's model were intellectually delicious in their own right, my cake is finished!
Since I gave my loyal readers a recipe for Bohr's model, I figured it would only be fair to include a recipe for a gourmet red velvet cake.

To begin, start with the finest quality box mix of cake that your local grocer has to offer. (I recommend buying whichever one is on sale, considering they are all practically the same mix inside a different box with a different brand name.)
Mix with oil, eggs, and water, then bake. (Hopefully that's not too hard.)

To make the frosting (from scratch!!), you'll need the following ingredients:
8 ounces of cream cheese
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
2-3 cups of powdered sugar
1 stick of butter (as if the other 3 ingredients were not fattening enough)

In case grabbing four simple ingredients is too complicated, I've attached pictures.

 

In case this was hard to figure out, you mix all four ingredients together (in a mixer, of all things - shocker) and then spread the frosting on the cakes (which I baked into two 8-inch circular cakes).

 

 

AND WHAT DO YOU GET? THE WORLD'S LARGEST WHOOPIE PIE!

 

I lied, you actually get a delicious cake version of Bohr's model!

 

(The red center is the nucleus and the three poorly-piped circles surrounding it are the energy levels.)

 

 



Understanding Bohr's Model: Electrons Gaining/Losing Energy

It's my civic duty to tell the classic tale to future generations, titled "The Little Electron That Could".
This little electron, with the smallest amount of energy on the atom, had dreams of growing up and gaining energy. Using the "ladder model", this little electron had to be aligned exactly in order to shift energy levels. There could not be energy shifts if electrons occupied the space that a fellow electron wanted to move into. Using this, Bohr was able to figure out how many electrons each energy level could maintain.

Photo above: The Ladder Model

Understanding Bohr's Model: Atomic Spectra

While our ol' pal Niels lacked evidence to support his atom's unchangeable energy levels, the atomic spectra was there to support Bohr's atom as a whole. Atomic spectra, relating to Rydberg's photons, is created when electrons shift energy levels. The model showed that same color photons are the only ones that will bump the electrons up to higher levels. For example, electrons would absorb energy, venture on up to a higher energy level, run out of their energy, head on back down to their original energy level, and re-emit that energy back into the atom. Like Rydberg's model stated, the electrons would emit light.

The Band of the Century: Niels Bohr and the Atomic Spectra's

Understanding Bohr's Model: Rydberg's Formula

Now, why exactly is Swedish physicist Johannes Rydberg included in this section about Niels Bohr? Rydberg's formula was actually combined with Bohr's model for some fascinating findings.
Rydberg's formula, " a mathematical formula used to predict the wavelength of light resulting from an electron moving between energy levels of an atom" (about.com), directly correlates with Bohr's developments with energy levels. For any mathematicians, the numeric formula is: 1/λ = RZ²(1/n₁² - 1/n₂²). If an electron is to switch from one energy level (remainder: those rings that surround the nucleus), not only will their energy change, but a photon of light is created or absorbed by the atom.

Understanding Bohr's Model: Unchangeable Energy Levels

Just like stated up above, Bohr's planetary atomic model suggests that the atom has unchangeable energy levels. Surrounding the nucleus, there are three orbits, that each contain electrons that have a specific amount of energy. These orbits are known as energy levels, a concept that Bohr based his whole atom off of. However, one of the problems with Bohr's model was that he lacked a definite explanation as to why exactly the energy levels existed. Even with lacking that knowledge, Bohr was still able to conclude that electrons in the electron clouds each belonged to one of the different energy levels.


The Atom of the Hour: Bohr's Planetary Atomic Model!

(not so) FUN FACT: Bohr drew inspiration by comparing the nucleus to the Sun

Sweets With Sammy: Introduction

In order to continue on with this lovely spree of alliteration I've got going on, I'm going to add to the fun by introducing a new topic: science. While the science behind Dalton's atomic model and Rutherford's nuclear atomic model are admirable to say the least, my true passion lies with easily my favorite Danish physicist: Niels Bohr. His contributions to the understanding of the atom forever changed science and has impacted the science community so remarkably that I've chosen to dedicate a whole blog series to him (control your excitement). In order to pay tribute to Bohr's native country of Denmark, I've decided to bake a red velvet cake, just as bright as the bold red on the country's flag.

 

 

Just like baking a cake, Bohr's planetary atomic model has a set list of "ingredients" that makes it unique:

 

1) Unchangeable energy levels

2) Rydberg/Bohr's Formula

3) Atomic Spectra

4) Electrons gaining/losing energy

 

I'm off to bake a cake, but I'll return soon with delectable desserts and even more fun Bohr's model facts to share!