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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
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3,151 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

JJ

Jan 11, 2024

Excellent course -- one of the best I've ever taken! It is unsurprisingly not an easy topic, but the concepts are explained very well, and the assignments are relevant to grasping the ideas.

AD

Jul 26, 2020

THANK YOU SO MUCH PROFESSOR FOR PUTTING THE CONCEPTS IN A SIMPLE AND ORGANIZED WAY. THE COURSE IS A REAL EYE OPENER FOR A SCIENCE ENTHUSIAST! LOOKING FORWARD TO JOIN YOUR NEW COURSES AND CONTENTS.

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976 - 1000 of 1,088 Reviews for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

By Andrey K

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Apr 2, 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 23, 2019

Thanks a lot

By Daniel U

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Aug 27, 2017

woww love it

By Hassan F A

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Sep 15, 2024

Thamx a lot

By Sevinc O

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Nov 29, 2021

excellent!

By Daniel B

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Aug 22, 2018

Very good !

By Stephan K

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Dec 12, 2017

A thourough

By Punya P S

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Feb 21, 2017

i love this

By Vardhan S

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Feb 8, 2017

Exceptional

By Wai Y L H

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Apr 6, 2025

impressive

By Aarit K B

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Sep 5, 2024

fantastic.

By Eduardo A L

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Apr 20, 2024

Gracias!!!

By Alex Z

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Dec 22, 2020

Very good.

By Shamit S

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Jul 20, 2020

Amazing!!!

By Elyor

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Aug 10, 2019

thank you!

By Tomo V

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Nov 1, 2017

Excellent!

By Marco W

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Aug 17, 2017

Fantastic!

By Ikshita S

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Nov 19, 2024

Very good

By federico g

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Nov 21, 2023

excellent

By Ahsan H

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Nov 11, 2022

excellent