On the possible consequences of a variability of the elementary charge

Abstract

The cosmological effects of a slight difference of charge between the proton and electron are considered. It is shown that in order to obtain a steady-state solution of the cosmological equations the terms by which Maxwell’s equations are modified must be of an opposite sign to that considered recently by Lyttleton & Bondi. The change of sign has the effect of altering the Coulomb law of force between charges at large distances apart, in such a way that unlike charges repel while like charges attract. In the steady-state solution the mean spatial density of matter is such that the electrostatic potential is of an opposite sign to that which would be given by Coulomb’s law. In this situation the charges are in fact attractive, not repulsive as considered by Lyttleton & Bondi. The effect of creation of matter in pairs is considered. It appears that the change of Coulomb’s law might be used to separate matter and anti-matter. The process of separation produces an electric current, leading to the existence of an intergalactic magnetic field.