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
Lagom
Valuation
A Splendid Exchange
The Selfish Gene
Going Clear
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide
The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition
The Upside of Stress
The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Invisible Gorilla
The Inimitable Jeeves
Foundation and Empire
The Fund
Win Bigly
Confessions of a Pricing Man
Statistical Consequences of Fat Tails
Googled
The Power Law
New Power
Alexander Hamilton
David Foster Wallace
Man, Economy, and State
Les Miserables
Richard Feynman
Trump: America First
Billion Dollar Whale
The Things They Carried
The Art of Asking
A Conflict of Visions
A Brief History of Intelligence
Race Matters
Primed to Perform
Coyote America
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
I am Anne Frank
Positioning
Amazon Unbound
Lincoln at Gettysburg
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
101 Reasons to Get Out of Bed
A Mind at Home with Itself
The Passage of Power
Cry, The Beloved Country
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
The Fourth Part of the World
The Creative Curve
Unravelling the Double Helix
Lolita
The Story of Design
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
Globalization and its Discontents
Three Blind Mice
These Truths
Aware
Getting to Yes
Diet for a Small Planet
Between The World And Me
Steal Like an Artist
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Walt Disney
Stretching the School Dollar
Inside The House of Money
Walden
Principles of Economics
Wind, Sand and Stars
Industrial-Strength Denial
How To Decide
Edison
A Guide To The Good Life
A Cure for the Common Company
Job Stacking
Decrypting Money
Marc's Mission
Build
Shattered
The Interpretation of Dreams
Xi Jinping: The Governance of China
The Future Is Asian
Natural Capitalism
Happiness
Bull by the Horns
Eradication
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Essentialism
My Life on the Road
Team of Teams
The Making of a Manager
No Rules Rules
The Essential Wooden
The TB12 Method
Skin In The Game
Hail Mary
Value Investing
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Moab Is My Washpot
Die With Zero
House On Fire