Question

What is the difference between an orbit in the Bohr model of the atom and an orbital in the quantum mechanical view of an atom?

Answer 1

We need to understand the Bohr’s atomic model and the quantum mechanical model of atoms to distinguish between them. Bohr's model is the closest model which describes the atomic structure in the classical mechanical approach. Also the placement of electrons in shells is the major difference.

Complete answer: We know that there were numerous models of atoms which tried to explain the existence of the neutral atoms in material using the classical mechanical approach. Bohr's model is the one which is the closest model which could explain the atomic existence in the most acceptable manner before quantum mechanical theory. Let us talk about the Bohr model of atoms. Bohr said that electrons revolve in definite non radiating orbits. The electrons are placed according to the shells in the Bohr model like $n=1,2,3,4\ldots$
The explanation of distribution of electrons was simple in the Bohr model. While if see in quantum mechanical model of atoms the electrons are distributed according to their energy levels, there is firstly principle quantum number which select the shell in which the electron will be placed after that comes azimuthal quantum number which selects that in that shell in which energy level the electron is to be placed, like s, p, d orbitals and after there is magnetic quantum number which decides that in that energy level how many will be there so on comparing both the atomic model we can see the difference that in orbit there is no information available of electron it is just stated that the electron is in orbit around the nucleus but in quantum mechanical model of atom we can see that every electron has a unique characteristics and energy level and we can differentiate them.

Note:
Remember that the Bohr Model gives the atomic model in a one-dimensional view, whereas Schrodinger's quantum model represents the probability of occurrence of the electrons in a three-dimensional space. This makes the solution of Schrodinger's equation nearly impossible for atoms of a larger number of electrons. The correct solution for Schrodinger's equation is nearly impossible for atoms of a larger number of electrons. The Schrodinger equation is found in a standard and simple way with only hydrogen atoms.