A nuclear model is considered in which the nuclear forces are taken to be a Yukawa potential acting between nucleons, such as would be produced by a neutral scalar meson, and a repulsive core. The model is very similar to the Fermi-Thomas model of the atom. It is first worked out in the absence of the Coulomb interaction, and it is shown how the binding energy, surface energy, and shape of the nuclear density at the surface of the nucleus are determined. The Coulomb interaction is then included and the model is worked out for a heavy nucleus, the parameters of the model being chosen to give the correct radius and binding energy. One predicts the right value of $\frac{Z}{A}$, and obtains a charge density distribution not too different from that deduced from electron scattering experiments.

NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Model, neutral scalar meson interaction plus repulsive core. Calculated binding energy, charge, neutron, and proton spatial distributions.

• Received 26 January 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.14.718