Avoid summer slump with our math, science, competition training, and computer science courses - schedule today!

Need Help?

Need help finding the right class? Have a question about how classes work?

Click here to Ask AoPS!

Relativity

Imagine this: You can fit a 10 m pole in a barn half the size. Your twin is now 10 years older than you, but you didn't use a time machine. And no matter how fast you run, you can never reach the speed of light. How can you explain these scenarios? In this 5-hour, two day seminar, we use thought experiments like these and other tools to explore Einstein's theory of special relativity. We introduce Einstein's two postulates and explore the counterintuitive effects of time dilation, length contraction, and relativity of simultaneity. The class concludes with a look at spacetime diagrams and several challenging paradoxes of relativity.

4 days

4 days  

Schedule

Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs
Jul 29 - Aug 1
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Jul 29 - Aug 1
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$145
$145
ENROLL

AoPS Holidays

There are no classes May 25 ‐ 27, July 4, August 30 ‐ September 2, October 31, November 25 ‐ December 1, and December 21, 2024 ‐ January 3, 2025.

Lessons

Lesson 1 The Principle of Relativity
Lesson 2 The Speed of Light and Time Dilation
Lesson 3 Length Contraction and Simultaneity
Lesson 4 Paradoxes

As someone who is a first-time olympiad taker, WOOT was very helpful. I was introduced to using general techniques like induction, which was very helpful to me. I have also learned subject-specific methods for solving problems, such as, for instance, the nine-point circle. The practice olympiads and AIMEs were very helpful, especially the olympiad, where I got to try solve original olympiad problems that I didn't see a few months ago on the forums. The feedback was also very helpful, giving me advice on how to present my solutions and word my arguments. Overall, I am very impressed with WOOT. I will definitely be taking it in future years to broaden my mathematical knowledge and improve my problem solving skills. Thank you all for the wonderful experience!