Are MOND Equations Consistent Across Sources?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the consistency of MOND (Modified Newtonian Dynamics) equations as presented in different sources, particularly focusing on the equations from an article by Sanders and McGaugh and their comparison to claims made on Wikipedia. Participants explore the definitions and implications of the equations, questioning the nature of the force represented and the parameters involved.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an equation from Sanders and McGaugh and questions the nature of the force ##F##, suggesting it may not have consistent units.
  • Another participant proposes that ##F## likely represents the gravitational field, defined as force per unit mass.
  • There is a query about whether to use ##\mu(a/a_0)## or ##\mu(r/r_0)## in the equations, with a suggestion that the difference may be merely notational.
  • A participant asserts that the first equation discussed is not MOND and references the paper's content to support this claim.
  • Further discussion includes a critique of the initial understanding of the paper, with one participant expressing a realization of having missed key information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of the equations and their consistency across sources. There is no consensus on the nature of ##F## or the validity of the equations being compared.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the potential misunderstanding of the equations and their definitions, indicating that the discussion is based on reconciling equations that may not be intended to represent the same concepts.

Arman777
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I am reading an article written by Sanders and McGaugh In the article, the first equation is written as $$F = f(r/r_0)GM/r^2~~~(1)$$

where ##x = r/r_0##
Then it goes like if
$$f(x) =
\begin{cases}
1 & \text{if } x <<1 \\
x & \text{if } x >>1
\end{cases} $$

So the equation becomes

$$F =
\begin{cases}
GM/r^2 & \text{if } x <<1 \\
GM/rr_0 & \text{if } x >>1
\end{cases} $$

Then he defines the force acting on the particle ##m## as

$$F = ma\mu(a/a_0)$$

However in the wikipedia its claimed that$$F = \frac {GMm} {\mu(a/a_0)r^2} $$

My first question is what is this ##F## ? It cannot be force since the units do not match. Is it acceleration ?

Or in (1) ##m## is taken as 1 ?

The wiki equation and the equation (1) are the same ?
 
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##F## is likely the gravitational field, which is the force per unit mass of the object the force acts upon.
 
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kimbyd said:
##F## is likely the gravitational field, which is the force per unit mass of the object the force acts upon.
I see. Then should we use ##\mu(a/a_0)## or ##\mu(r/r_0)## ? Is there a difference ? For instance if I write $$F = f(r/r_0)GM/r^2=f(a/a_0)GM/r^2$$ Is this true ?
 
Arman777 said:
I see. Then should we use ##\mu(a/a_0)## or ##\mu(r/r_0)## ? Is there a difference ? For instance if I write $$F = f(r/r_0)GM/r^2=f(a/a_0)GM/r^2$$ Is this true ?
I think the difference between the two is just notation. You can always re-express a function in terms of different parameters if you want. With the above, if ##F## is a function of ##r##, then the second equation written out fully would be:
$$F(r) = f(a(r)/a_0)GM/r^2$$
 
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Arman777 said:
In the article, the first equation

Did you actually read the paper? The first equation is not MOND, and the first two pages of the paper explain why it's not MOND.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Did you actually read the paper? The first equation is not MOND, and the first two pages of the paper explain why it's not MOND.
I was reading but I missed that sentence I think. Okay thanks
 
Arman777 said:
I missed that sentence I think
Vanadium 50 said:
first two pages

Two pages are more than a sentence. When you find yourself in a hole, it's best to stop digging. Given that this whole thread is based on reconciling two equations that aren't even supposed to be the same, I am going to ask it be closed.
 
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On that note, thread closed.
 
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