In 1959 Lyttleton and Bondi suggested that the expansion of the universe could be explained if matter carried a net charge. Suppose that the universe is made up of hydrogen atoms with a number density N, which is maintained a constant. Let the charge on the proton be ep=-(1+y)eep=−(1+y)e where e is the electronic charge.
(a) Find the critical value of y such that expansion may start.
(b) Show that the velocity of expansion is proportional to the distance from the centre.
Hint: Use Gauss law to find the electric field at the surface.
(a) Step 1: Find the electric field at the surface.
Let us suppose that universe is a perfect sphere of radius R and its constituent hydrogen atoms are distributed uniformly in the sphere.
As a hydrogen atom contains one proton and one electron, charge on each hydrogen atom.
eH=eP+e=-(1+y)e+e=-ye=(ye)eH=eP+e=−(1+y)e+e=−ye=(ye)
If E is electric field intensity at distance R, on the surface of the sphere, then according to Gauss' theorem,
∮E.ds=qε0∮E.ds=qε0 i.e.,
E(4πR2)=43πR3N|ye|ε0E(4πR2)=43πR3N|ye|ε0
E=13N|ye|Rε0 ..............(i)E=13N|ye|Rε0 ..............(i)
Step 2: Find the gravitational force on an atom at the surface.
Now, suppose, the mass of hydrogen atom≃mP=≃mP=Mass of a proton, GR=gravitational field at distance R on the sphere.
Then, -4πR2GR=4πG mP (43πR3)N−4πR2GR=4πG mP (43πR3)N
⇒GR=-43πGmPNR ..............(ii)⇒GR=−43πGmPNR ..............(ii)
∴The gravitational force on this atom is FG=mP×GR=-4π3Gm2PNR .............(iii)
Coulomb force on hydrogen atom at R is FC=(ye) E=13Ny2e2Rε0 [From Eq. (i)]
Step 3: Find the value of y.
Now, to start expansion FC>FG and critical value of Y to start expansion would be when
FC=FG
⇒13Ny2e2Rε0=4π3Gm2PNR
⇒y2=(4πε0)G(mPe)2
=19×109×(6.67×10-11)((1.66×10-27)2(1.6×10-19)2)=79.8×10-38
⇒y=√79.8×10-38=8.9×10-19≃10-18
Thus, 10-18 is the required critical value of Y corresponding to which expansion of the universe would start.
(b) Step 4: Find the net force on the atom at the surface.
Net force experience by the hydrogen atom is given by:
F=FC-FG=13Ny2e2Rε0-4π3Gm2pNR
Step 5: Find the net acceleration of the atom.
If the acceleration of hydrogen atom is represented by d2Rdt2, then
mPd2Rdt2=F=13Ny2e2Rε0-4π3Gm2PNR
=(13Ny2e2ε0-4π3Gm2PN)R
∴d2Rdt2=1mP[13Ny2e2ε0-4π3Gm2PN]R=α2R ..........(iv)
where, α2=1mP[13Ny2e2ε0-4π3Gm2PN]
Step 6: Find the velocity of expansion.
The general solution of Eq. (iv) is given by R=Aeαt+Be-αt. We are looking for expansion, here, so B=0 and R=Aeαt.
⇒The velocity of expansion, v=dRdt=Aeαt(α)=αAeαt=αR
Hence, v∝R i.e., the velocity of expansion is proportional to the distance from the centre.