Name: Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity
Brand: Stanford University
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.9 (1092 reviews)

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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity by Stanford University

4.9

stars

3,162 ratings

About the Course

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? About the instructor: Dr. Larry Lagerstrom is the Director of Academic Programs at Stanford University’s Center for Professional Development, which offers graduate certificates in subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, data mining, nanotechnology, innovation, and management science. He holds degrees in physics, mathematics, and the history of science, has published a book and a TED Ed video on "Young Einstein: From the Doxerl Affair to the Miracle Year," and has had over 30,000 students worldwide enroll in his online course on the special theory of relativity (this course!)....

Top reviews

Jan 26, 2021

professor Lagerstrom, through his patience and teaching gave me actual feeling of what is going on. The course has given a foundation from which a more in depth studies can be built upon.

Apr 2, 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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1076 - 1092 of 1,092 Reviews for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

By Rajendraprasad B M

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Jul 19, 2019

a little bit more advanced required.

By chandra T B

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Oct 2, 2023

very good course. im thankfull.

By MAHALAKSHMI S

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Apr 5, 2022

very interesting andinformative

By kwok w k

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Sep 3, 2024

Detail step by step approach

By Darren H

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Feb 16, 2021

very well explained

By Don M

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Jul 24, 2020

good course

By Wellington D P

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May 1, 2017

good course

By rverker

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Apr 22, 2024

It's really too slow! The subject is interesting but the videos are too long. The teacher's lesson with a marker in front of a whiteboard is no longer relevant. In addition, the teacher goes into too much detail and constantly repeats himself. There is no PDF support, which is also a negative point.

By Sebastian D C

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Mar 14, 2026

El curso es hermoso, lo que no entiendo pq al llegar al 64% de la cursada me pide que lo pague? había alguna letra minuscula que no ví? nada es gratis

By Pratheek T

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Mar 4, 2017

Rather easy questions and not many difficult ones even in the optional exercises.

By Devika M

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Jun 24, 2020

It was a very informative and interesting course.

By Peter Z

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Feb 15, 2017

The professor is so slow I have to have him at 1.5x speed when listening to his lecture and am still falling asleep. I am very interested Special Theory of RElativity but I ll just get a book. Will be faster.