Explorations in the Modification of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Einstein’s Field Equations: Accounting for Dark Energy and Dark Matter

Spezzano, Alexandra

Student Work

Explorations in the Modification of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Einstein’s Field Equations: Accounting for Dark Energy and Dark Matter

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This study explores the initial gravitational theory proposed by Isaac Newton and the subsequent advancements that led to Einstein’s Theories of Special and General Relativity, as well as the modern alternative, Modified Newtonian Dynamics. Although General and Special Relativity more accurately explain the behavior of gravity, Einstein’s “cosmological constant” continues to perplex physicists, inhibiting the progress of a unified theory of physics. A new, emerging theory, MOND, claims to effectively integrate dark energy and the Theories of Relativity and may contain answers on unifying these theories with quantum mechanics. Through plotting gravitational acceleration graphs against various parameters, this paper analyzes gravity under Newtonian, Einsteinian, and MONDian dynamics. The study utilized acceleration due to gravity versus distance and mass graphs for both Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and MOND to explore deviations between these methods. Without conducting observational experiments, this paper does not conclude which theory is correct; however, based on extensive research, the consensus seems to show a majority in favor of the current ΛCDM model.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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