Equation of state of finite nuclei and liquid-gas phase transition

We construct the equation of state (EOS) of finite nuclei including surface and Coulomb effects in a Thomas-Fermi framework using a finite range, mome ntum and density dependent two-body interaction. We identify critical tempe ratures for nuclei below which the EOS so constructed shows clear signals f or liquid-gas phase transition in these finite systems. Comparison with the EOS of infinite nuclear matter shows that the critical density and tempera ture of the phase transition in nuclei are influenced by the mentioned fini te size effects. [S0556-2813(99)50301-4].