Undergrad Why does general relativity break down at high energies?

[KleinMoretti]

TL;DR

what does it mean for general relativity to break down at high energies

more specifically what does high energies mean in this context, does it actually mean a high amount of energy? I can intuitively understand why it breaks down at small scales where quantum effects take place. for example it is said that high speed collisions produce a lot of energy and general relativity will break down as (part) of the description of such collisions, but why is that

 

[PeterDonis]

what does it mean for general relativity to break down at high energies

Why do you think it does?

it is said

Where? Please give a reference.

 

[KleinMoretti]

Why do you think it does?

isn't it said that one of the reasons a theory of quantum gravity is needed is because GR breaks down at some point for example singularities

 

[PeterDonis]

isn't it said

Said where? Again, please give a reference.

 

[PeterDonis]

one of the reasons a theory of quantum gravity is needed is because GR breaks down at some point for example singularities

That is a reason that is given for looking for a theory of quantum gravity. But "singularities" is not the same thing as "high energies".

 

[KleinMoretti]

But "singularities" is not the same thing as "high energies".

okay but they do signal a failure of the theory and you were asking why I thought GR breaks down, and that's why im asking what does high energies mean in this context

 

[KleinMoretti]

Said where? Again, please give a reference.

I meant that as general statement

 

[KleinMoretti]

Said where? Again, please give a reference.

'This raises an important point: though we think of general relativity and quantum theory as ‘nice’ theories from the point of view of philosophical investigation, in a very real sense they are not the whole story and break down at extreme scales."

Quantum Gravity​

 

[PeterDonis]

they do signal a failure of the theory

They might. It's not a proven fact, just an opinion.

that's why im asking what does high energies mean in this context

And until you can give some specific reference that even uses the term "high energies" in this context, there is no point in even asking.

I meant that as general statement

Vague general statements about what "is said" are not a valid basis for discussion here. If you're going to claim that something "is said", you need to give a specific, valid reference that says it.

'This raises an important point: though we think of general relativity and quantum theory as ‘nice’ theories from the point of view of philosophical investigation, in a very real sense they are not the whole story and break down at extreme scales."

Quantum Gravity​

This is a philosophy website, not a physics textbook or peer-reviewed paper.