A key limitation of Bohr’s model is that it fails to explain the spectra of ___ atoms:

A key limitation of Bohr’s model is…

Answer: multi-electron.

A multi-electron
B hydrogen
C single-electron
D one-electron ion

Correct answer: A. multi-electron

Explanation: Bohr’s model works for one-electron systems but not for multi-electron atoms.

Comparison of the Thomson model and the Rutherford model of the atom: in the Thomson plum pudding model alpha particles pass almost straight through a diffuse positive sphere, while in the Rutherford model a concentrated central nucleus deflects some alpha particles through large angles, with the lower panels showing the alpha particle source and gold foil and the observed result of wide-angle scattering

The Geiger–Marsden alpha-scattering result: a few alpha particles bounce back at large angles, which rules out Thomson’s diffuse model and demands a tiny, massive, positively charged nucleus. Image: Kurzon, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Thomson's plum-pudding model, Rutherford's nuclear model from alpha-scattering, Bohr's postulates and hydrogen spectrum, spectral series (Lyman to Pfund), Rydberg formula, and limitations of each model.

Read the full Atoms notes →

A key limitation of Bohr’s model is that it fails to explain the spectra of ___ atoms:

Concept context

More Atoms questions