Bohr Model of Hydrogen
Make the electron jump between energy levels and see the photons absorbed and emitted.
About the Bohr Model of Hydrogen
Free Bohr model simulation of hydrogen. Click energy levels to make the electron jump, watch photons being absorbed or emitted, and see wavelengths and colours of the Lyman, Balmer and Paschen lines. Built for atomic & quantum, the bohr model of hydrogen runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Make the electron jump between energy levels and see the photons absorbed and emitted. Use it to explore atomic & quantum ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Bohr Model of Hydrogen
- Use the controls to change Jump to energy level. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as n = 1, n = 2, n = 3, n = 4 to switch modes or load an example.
- Press "Random drop", "Clear spectrum" to start, reset or change what is happening.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Jump from n = 3 to 2 and see red light.
- Try n = 6 to 2.
- Make a Lyman (UV) transition.
- Collect several lines.
Key ideas you can learn
- Electrons in an atom can only have certain energies: the energy levels.
- Jumping down releases a photon; jumping up needs a photon of exactly the right energy.
- For hydrogen, E = −13.6 eV / n².
Where this is used in the real world
The Bohr model explains atomic spectra used in astronomy, lasers, neon signs and LED lighting.
Who is this simulation for?
Advanced high-school and university students in chemistry and physics, and curious learners who want to see how the atomic world behaves.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why do atoms emit only certain colours?
Because electrons can only drop between fixed energy levels, so each jump releases a photon of one specific energy and colour.
What is the Balmer series?
Transitions from higher levels down to n = 2. Four of them are visible: red, cyan, blue and violet.
Is the Bohr Model of Hydrogen free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Bohr Model of Hydrogen work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.