Can radius of electron orbit in hydrogen atom shrink below the bohr's radius?

Question

When we apply magnetic field to a hydrogen atom such that the Magnetic Lorentz Force acts inwards on the electron, will its radius shrink to a value lesser than the Bohr's radius, because according to Bohr's quantization radius of electron orbit can never be less than Bohr's radius?

Answer 1

In quantum mechanics the electron does not have orbits, only orbitals, probability loci for where the electrons will be if a measurement is attempted. The Bohr model is an averaging out of the underlying quantum mechanical behavior. An average radius can be calculated and that is what may change if a magnetic field is imposed.

There are measurements of atomic orbitals and orbitals that are important in chemical studies. There are calculations of how orbitals change where a change in average radius is taken into account , so yes, the average radius can change by external magnetic fields.