Newtonian fractional-dimension gravity and rotationally supported galaxies

We continue our analysis of Newtonian fractional-dimension gravity, an extension of the standard laws of Newtonian gravity to lower dimensional spaces, including those with fractional (i.e. non-integer) dimension. We apply our model to three rotationally supported galaxies: NGC 7814 (bulge-dominated spiral), NGC 6503 (disc-dominated spiral), and NGC 3741 (gas-dominated dwarf). As was done in the general cases of spherically symmetric and axially symmetric structures, which were studied in previous work on the subject, we examine a possible connection between our model and modified Newtonian dynamics, a leading alternative gravity model that explains the observed properties of these galaxies without requiring the dark matter hypothesis. In our model, the modified Newtonian dynamics acceleration constant a(0) similar or equal to 1.2 x 10(-10) ms(-2) can be related to a natural scale length l(0), namely a(0) similar or equal to GM/l(0)(2) for a galaxy of mass M. Also, the empirical radial acceleration relation, connecting the observed radial acceleration g(obs) with the baryonic one g(obs), can be explained in terms of a variable local dimension D. As an example of this methodology, we provide detailed rotation curve fits for the three galaxies mentioned above.

Automated summary

The study focuses on analyzing Newtonian fractional-dimension gravity in lower dimensional spaces and applying the model to rotationally supported galaxies, examining the connection between the model and modified Newtonian dynamics. The research provides rotation curve fits for three galaxies, suggesting a relationship between acceleration constant and natural scale length, and explaining the radial acceleration relation in terms of variable local dimension.