Origin of the Variations in the Sun's Rotational Velocity

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Abstract
The observed variations of the sun's rotation with solar activity are shown to be accounted for by changes of the electric and magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. It is assumed that the sun's electric field arises from an electron or negative ion current flowing away from the sun's surface. The ionized atmosphere offers electrical resistance to the current and calculations show that the heat generated in the solar atmosphere is an appreciable fraction of the total radiated light energy. The electric field is thus correlated with the solar constant and since the solar constant is known to vary with the sunspot cycle, the atmospheric electric field, and hence the rotational period, must go through similar variations in magnitude. The subatomic processes which might give rise to the solar current are mentioned.

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