Niels Bohr

Date of Birth: October 7, 1885

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 18, 1962

Biography

Niels Henrik David Bohr was a Danish physicist born on October 7, 1885, in Copenhagen, Denmark. He made foundational contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922. Bohr’s model of the atom introduced the theory that electrons travel in specific orbits around the atom’s nucleus and that the chemical properties of the element are largely determined by the number of electrons in the outer orbits. This model was pivotal in the development of quantum mechanics. Throughout his career, Bohr worked with many of the leading physicists of his time, including Albert Einstein and Werner Heisenberg. He also played a significant role during World War II, working on the Manhattan Project, although he was an advocate for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. After the war, Bohr returned to Copenhagen, where he continued to contribute to scientific research and international cooperation in science until his death on November 18, 1962.

5 Interesting Facts about Niels Bohr

1. Niels Bohr was a footballer in his youth and played for the Copenhagen-based Akademisk Boldklub.

2. Bohr’s father, Christian Bohr, was a professor of physiology, and his brother, Harald Bohr, was a mathematician and Olympic footballer.

3. He was instrumental in the establishment of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

4. Bohr famously fled Nazi-occupied Denmark during WWII, escaping to Sweden and then to the United States.

5. He founded the Institute of Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen, now known as the Niels Bohr Institute.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Niels Bohr

1. “An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field.”

2. “If quantum mechanics hasn’t profoundly shocked you, you haven’t understood it yet.”

3. “The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.”

4. “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.”

5. “Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Niels Bohr’s personal net worth is not documented in historical records. However, his contributions to science have an immeasurable value that has profoundly impacted modern physics and technology.

Children

Niels Bohr had six children with his wife, Margrethe Nørlund. Their names are Christian, Harald, Aage, Erik, Ernest, and Hans. Notably, Aage Bohr followed in his father’s footsteps and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975 for his contributions to understanding the structure of the atomic nucleus.