Neutron and Proton Densities in Nuclei

A semiempirical investigation of neutron and proton densities in nuclei is made. Experimental values are assumed for the nuclear radius, binding energy, surface energy, surface thickness, and symmetry energy. It is found that the neutron and proton densities extend to approximately the same radius; these results do not depend sensitively on the input data. The nuclear potential extends {~}0.7×{}10^-13 cm further than the material radius. An estimate of 100A Mev is given for nuclear compressibility.