Physics: Relativity is a 4-credit summer course exploring the implications of assuming that the speed of light is the same for any observer who is not accelerating. This is the simple premise of Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity. It is counter-intuitive, but physical experiments produce results that agree with this theory. So much for common sense!

While the concepts involved are mind-bending, the mathematics of special relativity is straightforward. Anyone comfortable with algebra and the Pythagorean theorem will be able to work with the mathematical models involved. More important than math is curiosity and willingness to play with ideas.

Check out the links in the menu above for more information about the content and structure of this course.

Course Description

Ever heard that the speed of light is the universal speed limit? What are the consequences of taking the speed of light to be constant? And what evidence do we have that the world actually works that way? Take a quick 5-week tour of Einstein’s theory of relativity by completing a close reading of Richard Wolfson’s book, Simply Einstein: Relativity Demystified supplemented with mathematical models and analogies that illustrate the concepts. We will focus on special relativity though we may have time for a quick look at general relativity at the end of the tour. We will use some basic trigonometry and algebra, but the focus is conceptual, and the concepts are suitable for all levels. It will be helpful if you are interested in science from a philosophical perspective (or perhaps interested in philosophy from a scientific perspective).

Meeting Times

This course meets on weekend mornings during the second summer session:
 • 9a-12:30p Saturdays and Sundays,  Aug. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, and Sep. 2-3.