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

4.9
stars
3,153 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

ST

Dec 24, 2017

This course was truly amazing and everything here was taught in a way that students can easily understand. I earnestly request Larry, sir to compile a course on general theory of relativity

ML

Oct 7, 2020

The material was explained very well and in not so great a depth as to pass my understanding of it. I definitely feel I understand some of Einstein's theories now than before the course.

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1001 - 1025 of 1,088 Reviews for Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity

By Vishwas D

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Aug 12, 2021

Brilliant

By Milla M V

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Aug 8, 2021

Loved it!

By Arpan A

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Jun 3, 2020

Noice!!!!

By Krassimir K

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Apr 1, 2019

Excellent

By ジャロウ

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Feb 23, 2019

Very Nice

By Zhiyang H

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Dec 22, 2018

excellent

By Алексей О

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Dec 16, 2017

Awesome!

By Sofia M

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Jun 7, 2021

Great!

By Felix H M M

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Oct 19, 2020

AWESOME

By Chloe W [

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Jun 27, 2021

Great!

By Trường A N

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Apr 2, 2025

Great

By Pramish B

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Apr 12, 2022

cool

By Vijay N

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Jun 10, 2020

Great

By Gourang C B

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Mar 23, 2019

goood

By Hrishi S

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Nov 21, 2017

great

By Dr. J S

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Oct 3, 2025

Good

By Alexa S

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Sep 22, 2024

Good

By Lương Đ L

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May 26, 2021

good

By SHAMPRANESH D

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Nov 10, 2018

Good

By Abhijeet G

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Oct 31, 2016

Yo

By Charles C

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Sep 16, 2021

R

By Kell B

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May 11, 2018

f

By Mustafa S

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Jul 15, 2017

A

By Richard E

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Sep 18, 2021

Lecture delivery: Very engaging, in general. I do appreciate the historical background material. Difficulty: Way too easy. The professor seems to assume that the audience is weak in Math & Physics. The prerequisites for the course should include at least elementary Mechanics and Vector Algebra. Near the end, one problem should have been presented in 3D [t, x, y, z] to reinforce that the the previous problems were based on holding 2 of the 3 space dimensions constant. Leaving the details of the vector algebra as an exercise for the student to verify is justified with a change in the prerequisites. There was way too much explanation of algebra manipulation. Much should have been left as an exercise to the student! The mass/energy issue with respect to the speed of light should have been presented. This was skipped and could have been presented in a general sense with accompanying Internet GR references for derivations (E.g. DrPhysicsA on YouTube.com). Problem sets should not be optional! These are good student reinforcement opportunities. A presentation which needs to be revisited IMO: "The Twin Paradox" part 3.