INELASTIC NUCLEON CONTRIBUTIONS IN (E,E') NUCLEAR RESPONSE FUNCTIONS

We estimate the contribution of inelastic nucleon excitations to the ( e,e') inclusive cross section in the CEBAF kinematic range. Calculatio ns are based upon parameterizations of the nucleon structure functions measured at SLAC. Nuclear binding effects are included in a vector-sc alar held theory, and are assumed to have a minimal effect on the nucl eon excitation spectrum. We find that for q less than or equal to 1 Ge V the elastic and inelastic nucleon contributions to the nuclear respo nse functions are comparable, and can be separated, but with roughly a factor of 2 uncertainty in the latter from the extrapolation from dat a. In contrast, for q greater than or equal to 2 GeV this uncertainty is greatly reduced but the elastic nucleon contribution is heavily dom inated by the inelastic nucleon background.