Could magnetic monopoles have an equivalent in general relativity?

[Spinnor]

If there was magnetic charge Maxwell's equations could be altered to accommodate the magnetic charge?

For small field strength and velocities General Relativity can be put in a form similar to Maxwell's equations?

If so is there something that could be introduced into General Relativity (or is already there?) that would be the equivalent of magnetic charge?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Mentz114]

If there was magnetic charge Maxwell's equations could be altered to accommodate the magnetic charge?

$\nabla\cdot\mathbf{B}=0$ would have to go.

If so is there something that could be introduced into General Relativity (or is already there?) that would be the equivalent of magnetic charge?

If Maxwells equations change then the Einstein-Maxwell equations will change. I can't tell you how off the top of my head.

 

[TrickyDicky]

If there was magnetic charge Maxwell's equations could be altered to accommodate the magnetic charge?

AFAIK only by introducing a topological defect(Dirac string) can magnetic monopoles be introduced in Maxwell's eq.

For small field strength and velocities General Relativity can be put in a form similar to Maxwell's equations?

If so is there something that could be introduced into General Relativity (or is already there?) that would be the equivalent of magnetic charge?

Thanks for any help!

There is an approach to GR that highlights the analogies with EM, look up gravitomagnetism and frame-dragging: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitoelectromagnetism

 

[Bill_K]

If so is there something that could be introduced into General Relativity (or is already there?) that would be the equivalent of magnetic charge?

Yes, Taub-NUT space is a spherically symmetric vacuum solution that generalizes Schwarzschild. It contains an additional "NUT parameter" which plays the role of a gravitomagnetic charge.