Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity
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Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity
Stanford University
À propos de ce cours
4.8
1,087 ratings
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!).
Programme du cours : ce que vous apprendrez dans ce cours
1
Section
Introduction to the Course, and Einstein in Context
Week 1: Introduction to the Course, and Einstein in Context
9 vidéos (Total 149 min), 8 lectures, 4 quiz
9 vidéos
Course overview17 min
How to succeed in the course20 min
Rules of engagement11 min
Math review24 min
Week 1 introduction8 min
Physics and Einstein circa 190026 min
To the miracle year18 min
The miracle year16 min
8 lectures
Course overview (outline)5 min
How to succeed in the course (outline)2 min
Rules of engagement (outline)2 min
Math review (outline)2 min
Week 1 introduction (outline)2 min
Physics and Einstein circa 1900 (outline)5 min
To the miracle year (outline)2 min
The miracle year (outline)2 min
4 exercices pour s'entraîner
Physics and Einstein circa 190014 min
To the miracle year16 min
The miracle year14 min
Week 1 final quiz16 min
2
Section
Events, Clocks, and Reference Frames
Week 2: Events, Clocks, and Reference Frames
11 vidéos (Total 174 min), 12 lectures, 9 quiz
11 vidéos
Week 2 introduction11 min
Events, clocks, and observers (part 1)14 min
Events, clocks, and observers (part 2)10 min
Spacetime diagrams (part 1)18 min
Spacetime diagrams (part 2)14 min
Frames of reference (part 1)18 min
Frames of reference (part 2)15 min
Frames of reference (part 3)11 min
A few more words on world lines10 min
The Galilean transformation17 min
Week 2 summary31 min
12 lectures
Week 2 introduction (outline)2 min
Events, clocks, and observers (part 1) (outline)2 min
Events, clocks, and observers (part 2) (outline)2 min
Spacetime diagrams (part 1) (outline)2 min
Spacetime diagrams (part 2) (outline)2 min
Frames of reference (part 1) (outline)2 min
Frames of reference (part 2) (outline)2 min
Frames of reference (part 3) (outline)2 min
A few more words on world lines (outline)2 min
The Galilean transformation (outline)2 min
Week 2 problem set (optional) min
Week 2 problem set solutions30 min
9 exercices pour s'entraîner
Events, clocks, and observers (parts 1 and 2)8 min
Spacetime diagrams (part 1)8 min
Spacetime diagrams (part 2)12 min
Frames of reference (part 1)10 min
Frames of reference (part 2)20 min
Frames of reference (part 3)16 min
A few more words on world lines10 min
The Galilean transformation8 min
Week 2 final quiz24 min
3
Section
Ethereal Problems and Solutions
Week 3: Ethereal Problems and Solutions
12 vidéos (Total 203 min), 15 lectures, 6 quiz
12 vidéos
Week 3 introduction11 min
Einstein's starting point: the two postulates22 min
A few words about waves (part 1)18 min
A few words about waves (part 2)7 min
A few words about waves (part 3)17 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 1)15 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 2)19 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 3)11 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 4)24 min
Stellar aberration9 min
Ethereal solutions18 min
Week 3 summary25 min
15 lectures
Week 3 introduction (outline)2 min
A note on "Einstein and God"5 min
A note on wave-particle duality and the nature of light5 min
Einstein's starting point: the two postulates (outline)2 min
A few words about waves (part 1) (outline)2 min
A few words about waves (part 2) (outline)2 min
A few words about waves (part 3) (outline)2 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 1) (outline)2 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 2) (outline)2 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 3) (outline)2 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (part 4) (outline)2 min
Stellar aberration (outline)2 min
Ethereal solutions (outline)2 min
Week 3 problem set (optional) min
Week 3 problem set solutions30 min
6 exercices pour s'entraîner
Einstein's starting point: the two postulates12 min
A few words about waves (parts 1, 2, and 3)12 min
The Michelson-Morley experiment (all parts)10 min
Stellar aberration4 min
Ethereal solutions12 min
Week 3 final quiz24 min
4
Section
The Weirdness Begins
Week 4: The Weirdness Begins
14 vidéos (Total 215 min), 15 lectures, 9 quiz
14 vidéos
Week 4 introduction7 min
The relativity of simultaneity (part 1)6 min
The relativity of simultaneity (part 2)10 min
The relativity of simultaneity (part 3)16 min
The relativity of simultaneity (summary)11 min
The light clock (part 1)11 min
The light clock (part 2)26 min
Exploring the Lorentz factor6 min
Time dilation22 min
Measuring length21 min
What is not suspect13 min
The invariant interval22 min
A real-life example: the muon7 min
Week 4 summary29 min
15 lectures
Week 4 introduction (outline)2 min
The relativity of simultaneity (diagram 1)2 min
The relativity of simultaneity (diagram 2)2 min
The relativity of simultaneity (diagram 3)2 min
The relativity of simultaneity (leading clocks lag diagram)2 min
The light clock (part 1) (outline)2 min
The light clock (part 2) (outline)2 min
Exploring the Lorentz factor (outline)2 min
Time dilation (outline)2 min
Measuring length (diagram)10 min
What is not suspect (outline)2 min
The invariant interval (outline)2 min
A real-life example: the muon (outline)2 min
Week 4 problem set (optional) min
Week 4 problem set solutions30 min
9 exercices pour s'entraîner
The relativity of simultaneity (parts 1 and 2)12 min
The relativity of simultaneity (part 3)12 min
The relativity of simultaneity (summary)4 min
The light clock and exploring the Lorentz factor16 min
Time dilation8 min
Measuring length14 min
What is not suspect, and the invariant interval8 min
The muon6 min
Week 4 final quiz22 min
4.8
20%
83%
Meilleurs avis
par BH•Jun 23rd 2017
This course is very comprehensive and well prepared material for understanding the Special Theory of Relativity. Larry (the instructor) is very expert and has broad knowledge in explaining the course.
par JK•Apr 2nd 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.
Enseignant
Larry Randles Lagerstrom
Academic DirectorÀ propos de Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is an American private research university located in Stanford, California on an 8,180-acre (3,310 ha) campus near Palo Alto, California, United States.
Foire Aux Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
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