In this course we will seek to “understand Einstein,” especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that Albert Einstein, as a twenty-six year old patent clerk, introduced in his “miracle year” of 1905. Our goal will be to go behind the myth-making and beyond the popularized presentations of relativity in order to gain a deeper understanding of both Einstein the person and the concepts, predictions, and strange paradoxes of his theory. Some of the questions we will address include: How did Einstein come up with his ideas? What was the nature of his genius? What is the meaning of relativity? What’s “special” about the special theory of relativity? Why did the theory initially seem to be dead on arrival? What does it mean to say that time is the “fourth dimension”? Can time actually run more slowly for one person than another, and the size of things change depending on their velocity? Is time travel possible, and if so, how? Why can’t things travel faster than the speed of light? Is it possible to travel to the center of the galaxy and return in one lifetime? Is there any evidence that definitively confirms the theory, or is it mainly speculation? Why didn’t Einstein win the Nobel Prize for the theory of relativity?
Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity
Instructor: Larry Randles Lagerstrom
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There are 8 modules in this course
Week 1: Introduction to the Course, and Einstein in Context
What's included
9 videos8 readings4 assignments
Week 2: Events, Clocks, and Reference Frames
What's included
11 videos12 readings9 assignments
Week 3: Ethereal Problems and Solutions
What's included
12 videos15 readings6 assignments
Week 4: The Weirdness Begins
What's included
14 videos15 readings9 assignments
Week 5: Spacetime Switches
What's included
17 videos16 readings10 assignments
Week 6: Breaking the Spacetime Speed Limit
What's included
11 videos11 readings8 assignments
Week 7: Paradoxes to Ponder
What's included
11 videos12 readings5 assignments
Week 8: To the Center of the Galaxy and Back
What's included
9 videos10 readings7 assignments
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Reviewed on May 2, 2020
Wonderful course on STR. Mr. Larry explained the complicated things in a very easy way using lots of diagrams. I was motivated throughout the course because he kept me on track so I lost nothing.
Reviewed on Aug 24, 2019
Thank you sir to give me such a valuable knowledge . Your way of explanation is fabulous I can't define it in words I learned lots of new thing from you and thanks for providing the book link.....😊
Reviewed on Apr 1, 2017
I enjoyed this course very much. Professor Larry Randles Lagerstrom made a difficult subject easy to understand. Especially for a fellow who at 85 has forgotten a lot of what he learned in college.
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