We present a statistical model for nuclear fragmentation which incorporates the basic characteristics of nuclear composites but which can be very easily solved on a computer for any particle number of relevance to nuclear physics. Calculations are easy for much larger number of particles also so that thermodynamic limits can be investigated. Equations of state for a finite number of particles are drawn. They bear resemblance to a Van der Waals gas. Regions of liquid-gas coexistence can be easily identified and the coexistence curve can be drawn. We also obtain in the model probability distribution of intermediate mass fragments which is of much interest and find that these are given under quite general circumstances by a binomial distribution.

Tuesday, November 24th 1998, 15:30
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, room 305