What If?

Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Randall Munroe

Genre

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"What If?" by Randall Munroe is an entertaining and informative exploration of absurd hypothetical situations, backed by real science. In this witty and imaginative book, Munroe, the creative genius behind the popular webcomic xkcd, delves into a variety of bizarre scenarios, answering questions such as:

  • What would happen if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning?
  • Could you make a jetpack out of machine guns?
  • Is it possible to build a swimming pool on the Moon?
  • How fast can you hit a speed bump and still survive?

Through clever and engaging illustrations, Munroe applies his expertise in physics, biology, and other scientific fields to unravel the intriguing consequences of these seemingly outlandish queries. With a blend of humor and clarity, he takes readers along on a journey through the scientific process, explaining complex concepts in a relatable and accessible manner.

"What If?" challenges readers to think critically about the world around them, inspiring a sense of wonder about the weird and wonderful possibilities that exist beyond our everyday experiences. Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply curious about the limits of human knowledge, Munroe's unique blend of quirky humor and scientific rigor makes this book a delightful and thought-provoking read.

Explore More Books

See All
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Four
The Elements of Style
The Celestine Prophecy
Foundation's Edge
When Breath Becomes Air
The Gift of Good Land
Chasing the Light
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
Sperm Wars
Probability Theory
Becoming Steve Jobs
Red Notice
Antifragile
The Truth about Carbs
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Bossypants
Should We Eat Meat?
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Crossing the Chasm
Information
Foundations
Certain To Win
Think on These Things
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Robber Barons
Kill Decision
When The Wolves Bite
To Dare and to Conquer
Command
The Art of Stillness
Idea Makers
In The Plex
Thank You For Smoking
Strength In Stillness
The Oxford History of Britain
Citizen Coke
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Brotopia
The MAGA Doctrine
The Untethered Soul
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Killers of the Flower Moon
Wild And Crazy Guys
The Hydrogen Sonata
Market Wizards
Super Pumped
Filters Against Folly
All Quiet on the Western Front
Founders at Work
The Doors of Perception
1984
Queen of Fashion
Simple & Direct
Ignition!
Being Nixon
The Craft
Bend The Curve
Evicted
24/6
Triumphs of Experience
The Power of Broke
The Hobbit
My Years with General Motors
Intellectuals
Math, Better Explained
Competing Against Luck
How To Decide
Paper Lion
High Output Management
In Cold Blood
Co-Intelligence
Foundation and Earth
Tribal Leadership
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Tender Is The Night
Happiness
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
The Story of Philosophy
Devil's Bargain
A Good Man
The Lord of the Rings
Clocks and Culture
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Lagom
The Curse of the Mogul
Cognitive Surplus
Why We Get Fat
Dark Towers
Glass
The Prize
Starlink
Happy Accidents
Digital Gold
The Aeneid
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
The Song Machine