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Model for independent particle motion

Independent particle model in nuclear physics assumes that the nucleon in the nucleus moves in the average (mean field) potential generated by all other nucleons. This chapter gives a short overview of basic features of the independent particle motion in atomic nuclei and its theoretical realization in the framework of shell models for spherical, deformed and rotating nuclei as well as in more sophisticated approaches such as microscopic+macroscopic model and density functional theories. Independent particle motion of nucleons leads to global and single-particle consequences. The global ones manifest themselves in the shell structure and its consequences for global structure of nuclear landscape, the existence of superheavy nuclei and the superdeformation at high spin are briefly reviewed. The latter shows itself in the single-particle properties such as energies, alignments and densities; their manifestations are illustrated on specific examples.