A Derivation of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (1303.7071v1)

Abstract: Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) is a possible solution for the missing mass problem in galactic dynamics; its predictions are in good agreement with observations in the limit of weak accelerations. However, MOND does not derive from a physical mechanism and does not make predictions on the transitional regime from Newtonian to modified dynamics; rather, empirical transition functions have to be constructed from the boundary conditions and comparison to observations. I compare the formalism of classical MOND to the scaling law derived from a toy model of gravity based on virtual massive gravitons (the "graviton picture") which I proposed recently. I conclude that MOND naturally derives from the "graviton picture" at least for the case of non-relativistic, highly symmetric dynamical systems. This suggests that - to first order - the "graviton picture" indeed provides a valid candidate for the physical mechanism behind MOND and gravity on galactic scales in general.