Suggested preparation: Introductory mechanics, algebra and basic calculus.
Optional preparation: Motion, Forces and Energy: Free Course.
About this course
Develop special-relativity concepts through spacetime, causality, motion and particle processes. Short lessons connect mathematical descriptions with the physical consequences of changing reference frames.
Topics and lesson examples
- 1.1 Course Organization (8.20 Introduction to Special Relativity)
- 4.2 Muons
- 7.2 Relativistic Doppler Effect
- 10.4 Absorption and Emission of Photons
- 13.2 Course Review
Course at a glance
| Provider | MIT |
|---|---|
| Platform | YouTube · MIT OpenCourseWare |
| Access | Free Video |
| Level | Intermediate — WikiFree study-level assessment |
| Language | English |
| Available lessons | 52 |
| Video duration | 6h 32m · self-paced |
| Details checked | 10 October 2026 |
Preparation and study approach
Suggested preparation: Introductory mechanics, algebra and basic calculus.
Follow the available videos in sequence, pausing to summarize the main argument or reconstruct a worked example. Keep a short list of assumptions, unfamiliar terms and questions to revisit. Additional reading, problem solving and practice will take time beyond the listed video duration.
Using this video classroom
Select a lesson from the list, or search for a topic. Previous and Next move through the sequence. You can mark lessons complete; progress is stored in this browser without a WikiFree account.
Free access and course scope
The public MIT OpenCourseWare videos in this classroom are free to watch. This listing provides the available playlist recordings, which may include selected lectures, recitations, demonstrations or supporting discussions rather than every component of the original campus course. Textbooks, equipment, software licenses, supervised labs, graded assignments and instructor feedback are not supplied by WikiFree. No purchase is required to watch the videos or use the note-based study approach above.
WikiFree independently organizes these resources for self-paced study. Watching does not award an MIT certificate, academic credit or admission to MIT.
Video provider and credit: MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube. WikiFree titles, descriptions and cover artwork are independently prepared.
Related courses for your next step
- Explore a higher-level optionFree MIT Course: General Relativity and Gravitational Physics
Focus: 1. Introduction and the geometric viewpoint on physics. · 6. The principle of equivalence.
Professional - Compare another approachFree Yale Course: Fundamentals of Physics I
Focus: Mechanics · Mathematical modeling
Intermediate - Review a lower-level optionMotion, Forces and Energy: Free Course
Focus: Physical models · Quantities and units
Beginner
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free MIT Course: Special Relativity and Spacetime | Intermediate | 1.1 Course Organization (8.20 Introduction to Special Relativity) · 4.2 Muons · 7.2 Relativistic Doppler Effect | 6h 32m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free MIT Course: General Relativity and Gravitational Physics | Professional | 1. Introduction and the geometric viewpoint on physics. · 6. The principle of equivalence. · 12. The Einstein field equation. | 30h 22m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free Yale Course: Fundamentals of Physics I | Intermediate | Mechanics · Mathematical modeling · Quantitative reasoning | 28h 44m of video; practice time is additional |
| Motion, Forces and Energy: Free Course | Beginner | Physical models · Quantities and units · Scientific reasoning | 3h 52m of video; practice time is additional |
Provider: MIT. Videos play from the MIT OpenCourseWare channel on YouTube.
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