Abstract
This thesis presents the results of an analysis of absolute electron differential scattering cross-section data and shows that for selected spherically symmetric nuclei in the range 40 < A < 209 the surface thickness of the proton distribution is somewhat smaller than had been previously thought. For Ca 40 evidence is given for a central ''hump'' in the proton distribution. Cross-section ratio data in the region A ~ 58 have been analysed and there is some evidence for a central depression in the proton distribution in this region. The results of this analysis have been connected with the simple theory of nuclear compressibility and indicate that the nuclear compressibility coefficient is the same in the region A ~58 as in the region of heavy nuclei.