v For each value of n k may have n different values These

Last updated: 6/30/2023

v For each value of n k may have n different values These are 1 2 3 n Thus for the Bohr orbit with n 4 there are four Sommerfeld orbits three elliptical orbit one circular orbit with k 1 2 3 and 4 When k 4 the elliptical orbit reduces to a circular orbit Sommerfeld thus introduced the concept of subshells in a principal quantum shell The difference in energy between any two subshells is quite small The fine structure of hydrogen spectrum can be explained by assuming several transitions between several subshells each characterised by different values of k but same value of n n 4 k 4 n 4 k 3 n 4 k 2 n 4 k 1