A modified hypothesis of gravity?

Could Newton and Einstein be wrong?  Let's consider a new idea that is a modification Newton's work, why it was proposed, how the new idea differs from conventional thought, and if it has passed any tests to give it any credibility.  Then (maybe) we can toss out your old physics books!

1. What is the name of this new theory of gravity?  Hint: Although the roots of this idea go back further, the hypothesis was formally proposed by a Dutch physicist sometime after 2008.
   
   The idea came from Erik Verlinde and is known as Verlinde's hypothesis of gravity or simply Entropic gravity or emergent gravity
    

2. In this unit, we have described the behavior of gravity using the inverse square law.  How does this idea deviate from that law?
   
   Verlinde's hypothesis still uses the inverse square law when considering local distances (say within our galaxy) but when distances become extremely large (like between galaxies) ... and the effects of gravity are extremely weak, the inverse square law is replaced with just an inverse relationship.  This modification only changes things when considering distances on an intergalactic scale.
   
   
   
   
    

3. What purpose does this new hypothesis serve?  That is, there must have been some reason to bring up a new idea that suggested something may be wrong and/or unexplained in current theories that required a look at this new hypothesis. 
   
   Yes, this hypothesis eliminates the need to invoke the concept of dark matter.  In the last unit, you will see that astronomers believe there is a lot more matter that we can NOT detect than the stuff we can see.  This invisible stuff is called dark matter and suggests that everything we see is only a tiny piece of what is out there.  Verlinde's hypothesis claims that all the things we see that suggest the existence of dark matter can, instead, be explained by a re-understanding of the way gravity works.  This would certainly make things easier since no one has a clue what dark matter really is.
    

4. Has this hypothesis been tested?  Is it currently accepted in the academic community?
   
   Actually Verlinde's hypothesis has passed a test.  Click here.  However, this new idea is very controversial and far from academic acceptance.  Newton and Einstein are still the top dog!