MOND theory

Abstract

A general account of MOND theory is given. I start with the basic tenets of MOND, which posit departure from standard dynamics in the limit of low acceleration -- below an acceleration constant a0 -- where dynamics become scale invariant. I list some of the salient predictions of these tenets. The special role of a0 and its significance are then discussed. In particular, I stress its coincidence with cosmologically relevant accelerations. The deep-MOND limit and the consequences of its scale invariance are considered in some detail. General aspects of MOND theories are then described, after which I list briefly presently known theories, both nonrelativistic and relativistic. Most full-fledged theories modify the gravitational action, hinge on a0, introduce an interpolating function between the low and high accelerations, and obey MOND requirements in the opposite limits. These theories have much heuristic value as proofs of various concepts (e.g., that covariant MOND theories can be written with correct gravitational lensing). But, probably, they are, at best, effective theories of limited applicability. I then outline several other promising approaches to constructing MOND theories that strive to obtain MOND as an effective theory from deeper concepts, for example, by modifying inertia and/or gravity as a result of interactions with some omnipresent agent. Some theories do enjoy a natural appearance of a cosmological-constant-like contribution that, furthermore, exhibits the observed connection with a0. However, none were shown to address fully the mass discrepancies in cosmology and structure formation that are otherwise explained by cosmological dark matter. We have no clues as to whether and how MOND aspects enter non-gravitational phenomena, but I discuss briefly some possibilities.

15 pages, to be published in a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Physics dedicated to MOND. Minor corrections to match published version

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