Group algebras whose p-elements form a subgroup

Abstract

Let [Formula: see text] be a group, [Formula: see text] a field of characteristic [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] the unit group of the group algebra [Formula: see text]. In this paper, among other results, we show that if either (1) [Formula: see text] satisfies a non-matrix polynomial identity, or (2) [Formula: see text] is locally finite, [Formula: see text] is infinite and [Formula: see text] is an Engel-by-finite group, then the [Formula: see text]-elements of [Formula: see text] form a (normal) subgroup [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is abelian (here, of course, [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text]).