Abstract
A SOLID spherical object of constant density is a monopole for newtonian gravity. It seems perfectly plausible that monopoles of other shapes ('asymmetric monopoles") exist, and indeed, I have found approximate numerical solutions to this problem. Such asymmetric monopoles are interesting for the detection of deviations from Newton's inverse-square law. Although the newtonian field is monopolar, the field as a result of any deviation will not be. This, in principle, allows one to separate the deviation from the much larger newtonian field, which would normally swamp it on a laboratory scale. A laboratory experiment to detect the proposed 'fifth force' may be feasible.
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Barrett, J. The asymmetric monopole and non-newtonian forces. Nature 341, 131–132 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/341131a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/341131a0
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