Dynamical friction in modified Newtonian dynamics

TL;DR

This study uses N-body simulations to confirm that dynamical friction occurs faster in MOND than in Newtonian systems, challenging MOND's ability to explain certain galactic phenomena.

Contribution

It provides the first full non-linear simulation validation of the short dynamical friction timescale predicted by analytical estimates in MOND.

Findings

Dynamical friction timescale is shorter in MOND than in Newtonian systems.

Results reconcile previous discrepancies regarding bar slowdown and mergers in MOND.

Fornax dwarf spheroidal presents a challenge to MOND due to rapid dynamical friction.

Abstract

We have tested a previous analytical estimate of the dynamical friction timescale in Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) with fully non-linear N-body simulations. The simulations confirm that the dynamical friction timescale is significantly shorter in MOND than in equivalent Newtonian systems, i.e. systems with the same phase-space distribution of baryons and additional dark matter. An apparent conflict between this result and the long timescales determined for bars to slow and mergers to be completed in previous N-body simulations of MOND systems is explained. The confirmation of the short dynamical-friction timescale in MOND underlines the challenge that the Fornax dwarf spheroidal poses to the viability of MOND.