Niels Bohr

Niels Bohr was a Danish physicist who helped us understand atoms. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1885. He created a model of the atom that showed how electrons orbit the nucleus. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922.

Early Life

Bohr grew up in a family that loved learning. His father was a professor. Niels played soccer and was very good at it. He studied physics at the University of Copenhagen.

An old photograph of the physics teacher Niels Bohr.
An old photograph of the physics teacher Niels Bohr. (Bain News Service, publisher Restored by: Bammesk / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Discoveries

Bohr created a new model of the atom. He showed that electrons circle the nucleus in specific paths or levels. He helped develop quantum mechanics, the science of very tiny particles. He also helped scientists during World War II escape from Nazi Germany.

Fun Facts

  • Bohr's brother Harald won a silver medal in soccer at the 1908 Olympics.
  • He kept a horseshoe over his door for good luck, even though he said he did not believe in luck.
  • Bohr and Einstein had famous friendly arguments about physics.

Did You Know?

During World War II, Bohr escaped Denmark in a small boat to Sweden. He then flew to England hidden in the bomb bay of a plane. He later helped with the Manhattan Project in the United States.