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Back to Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

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

4.9
stars
3,122 ratings

About the Course

In this course we will seek to ā€œunderstand Einstein,ā€ especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that Albert Einstein, as a twenty-six year old patent clerk, introduced in his ā€œmiracle yearā€ 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? Whatā€™s ā€œspecialā€ 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 ā€œfourth dimensionā€? 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 canā€™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 didnā€™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 Universityā€™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

AP

Aug 12, 2020

It was wonderful experience to know the special theory of relativity from Larry, who has presented the course in very simple way to understand. Thanks a lot to Larry for providing such a good session.

SS

Dec 9, 2019

Almost anyone can learn about the special theory of relativity from these lectures. I actually can't believe that I studied from a professor who teaches in the USA and in so simple way. I am grateful.

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951 - 975 of 1,078 Reviews for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

By FƔbio B V d O

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Mar 3, 2017

Excelent course!

By Aditya U

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Jan 6, 2017

Amazing course!!

By Michael B

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Dec 30, 2016

Fantastic course

By Ankit S

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Apr 15, 2025

great knowledge

By CHENG H

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Sep 9, 2021

Very helpful šŸ‘

By Daniel

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Oct 6, 2020

Simply amazing.

By Kumuka

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Jul 30, 2017

Simply awesome!

By Leonardo N

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Feb 4, 2024

greatest tutor

By Ivan V

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Apr 26, 2024

Great teacher

By Dr. M P K

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Jan 25, 2023

great teacher

By Edwin B

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Dec 29, 2022

great teacher

By AJISH P J

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Aug 5, 2021

SUPERB COURSE

By Thomas A

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Jul 28, 2021

Great course

By Stephen w

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May 4, 2018

Very educated

By Aman N

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Oct 13, 2017

best coursešŸ‘Œ

By Suman S

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May 21, 2017

Great Course!

By Andrey K

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Apr 3, 2017

Great course!

By Paul L

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Jan 29, 2022

excellent!!!

By Rakesh K j

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Sep 29, 2021

great course

By ANG Y K C

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Jun 22, 2020

Exceptional.

By Andrew M

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Jun 24, 2019

Outstanding.

By Garth E

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Mar 21, 2019

Great couse!

By Koray U E

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Jan 24, 2019

Thanks a lot

By Daniel U

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Aug 28, 2017

woww love it

By Hassan F A

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Sep 16, 2024

Thamx a lot