High resolution inelastic electron scattering from lead-208

Inclusive electron scattering differential cross sections from $\sp{208}$Pb have been measured with energy resolutions better than 20 keV for over 120 discrete states with excitation energies less than 7.3 MeV. The momentum-transfer dependence of these cross sections has been mapped over a range of 0.5 to 2.8 $fm\sp{-1}$ in the forward direction and 1.0 to 2.9 $fm\sp{-1}$ in the backward scattering direction. Over fifty excitations have been analyzed in the Distorted Wave Born Approximation to yield transition charge, current and magnetization densities. The nuclear structure of discrete excitations are interpreted in the framework of 1p-1h transition. The nuclear structure of levels in the excitation region below 4.8 MeV is studied in detail. Above 4.8 MeV, multiplets from single particle-hole configurations coupling to high spin states $(J \geq 7)$ are investigated. Experimental transition densities are compared to Tamm-Dancoff calculations from a correlated ground state