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RelativityImagine 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 class, 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. |
6 hours |
| 6 hours |
Schedule
|
Sat & Sun
Dec 14 - Dec 15 |
4:00 - 7:00 PM ET –
Dec 14 - Dec 15
4:00 - 7:00 PM Eastern 3:00 - 6:00 PM Central 2:00 - 5:00 PM Mountain 1:00 - 4:00 PM Pacific Click here to see more time zones |
Jon Joseph | $150 |
$150
CLOSED |
AoPS Holidays
There are no classes May 24 ‐ 26, July 4 ‐ 6, August 29 ‐ September 1, October 31, November 24 ‐ November 30, and December 20, 2025 ‐ January 2, 2026.
Who Should Take?
This course is intended for students who have completed at least our Introduction to Algebra A or an equivalent first course in algebra. No advanced algebra techniques are used, but the experience of a second course in algebra equivalent to our Introduction to Algebra B will be useful in interpreting the mathematics used. The conceptual challenges of this course make it suitable for advanced students of any background as well. No prior background in physics or the theory of relativity is required.
Topics
| 1 | The Principle of Relativity |
| 2 | The Speed of Light and Time Dilation |
| 3 | Length Contraction and Simultaneity |
| 4 | Paradoxes |
