Abstract
A model calculation of the stopping power of the degenerate electron gas for slow protons is presented. The screened potential of a slow proton is calculated from an ansatz for the induced density fluctuation, giving a finite value at the proton site. Phase shifts satisfying Friedel's sum rule are obtained via Ladanyi's variational method. An analytical formula for the screening parameter as a function of the mean electronic separation is given. A comparison with the results from using the self-consistent density functional formalism is made.