Entropy and Mass Distribution in Disc Galaxies

Abstract

The relaxed motion of stars and gas in galactic discs is well approximated by a rotational velocity that is a function of radial position only, implying that individual components have lost any information about their prior states. Thermodynamically, such an equilibrium state is a microcanonical ensemble with maximum entropy, characterised by a lognormal probability distribution. Assuming this for the surface density distribution yields rotation curves that closely match observational data across a wide range of disc masses and galaxy types, and provides a useful tool for modelling the theoretical density distribution in the disc. A universal disc spin parameter emerges from the model, giving a tight virial mass estimator with strong correlation between angular momentum and disc mass, suggesting a mechanism by which the proto-disc developed by dumping excess mass to the core, or excess angular momentum to a satellite galaxy. The baryonic-to-dynamic mass ratio for the model approaches unity for high mass galaxies, but is generally $<1$ for low mass discs, and this discrepancy appears to follow a similar relationship to that shown in recent work on the radial acceleration relation (RAR). Although this may support Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) in preference to a dark matter (DM) halo, it does not exclude undetected baryonic mass or a gravitational DM component in the disc.

16 pages, 4 figures. Invitation paper for "Debate on the Physics of Galactic Rotation and the Existence of Dark Matter". Accepted Jan 2020

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