Bohr's theory of the hydrogen atom

a selective realist interpretation

Michel Ghins

pp. 415-429

in: Lorenzo Magnani (ed), Model-based reasoning in science and technology, Berlin, Springer, 2014

Abstract

This paper proposes a reconstruction of 1913 Bohr's theory of the hydrogen atom in the framework of the model-theoretic approach of theories. On the basis of this reconstruction, it is argued that Bohr's theory is not internally inconsistent and can't be qualified as fictitious. Then, a selective realist interpretation of Bohr's theory can be defended according to which electrons occupy energy levels. An agnostic attitude however is recommended as far as the electron's trajectories are concerned.