We present the results of N2H+(1-0) observations of 35 dense molecular cloud
cores from the northern and southern hemispheres where massive stars and star
clusters are formed. Line emission has been detected in 33 sources, for 28
sources detailed maps have been obtained. The optical depth of (23-12)
component toward peak intensity positions of 10 sources is ~ 0.2-1. In total,
47 clumps have been revealed in 26 sources. Integrated intensity maps with
aspect ratios < 2 have been fitted with a power-law radial distribution
r−p convolved with the telescope beam. Mean power-law index is close to
unity corresponding to the ∼r−2 density profile provided N2H+
excitation conditions do not vary inside these regions. Line widths of the
cores either decrease or stay constant with distance from the center. The ratio
of rotational to gravitational energy is too low for rotation to play a
significant role in the dynamics of the cores. A correlation between mean line
widths and sizes of clumps has been found.Comment: 17 pages, Late