On nuclear energy levels and elementary particles

Considering only exchange forces, the binding energies and excited states of nuclei up to²⁴Mg are predicted to within charge independence, and there is no reason why the model should not be extended to cover all of the elements. A comparison of theory with experiment shows that the energy of one exchange is 2.56 MeV. Moreover, there is an attractive well of depth 30 MeV, corresponding to the helium nucleus, before exchange forces become operative. A possible explanation of the origin of mesons is also presented.