According to the Bohr model, which statement best describes the behavior of electrons in a hydrogen atom?

• A. Electrons occupy fixed energy levels and can move between them by absorbing or emitting specific amounts of energy.
• B. Electrons are stationary and do not move around the nucleus.
• C. Electrons are located in a continuous cloud around the nucleus, with no quantized energy states.
• D. Electrons move randomly around the nucleus without any defined energy levels.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom proposes that electrons exist in specific, quantized energy levels or orbits around the nucleus, rather than anywhere at random.
2. Recognize that electrons can transition between these fixed energy levels by absorbing or emitting energy in discrete amounts called quanta or photons.
3. Recall that this model explains the emission spectra of hydrogen by associating each spectral line with an electron moving between two energy levels.
4. Note that the Bohr model does not describe electrons as stationary or moving randomly; instead, it emphasizes fixed orbits with defined energies.
5. Conclude that the best description according to the Bohr model is that electrons occupy fixed energy levels and can move between them by absorbing or emitting specific amounts of energy.