Moments of the proton F{sub 2} structure function at low Q{sup 2}

We investigate the Q{sup 2} dependence of inclusive electron-proton scattering F{sub 2} structure function data in both the nucleon resonance region and the deep inelastic region, at momentum transfers below 5 (GeV/c){sup 2}. From these data we construct moments of F{sub 2}, down to momentum transfers of Q{sup 2}{approx}0.1 (GeV/c){sup 2}. The second moment is only slowly varying with Q{sup 2} down to Q{sup 2}{approx}1 (GeV/c){sup 2}, which is a reflection of duality. Below Q{sup 2} of 1 (GeV/c){sup 2}, the Q{sup 2} dependence of the moments is predominantly governed by the elastic contribution, whereas the inelastic channels still seem governed by local duality.