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
Blueprint
The God Proof
The Player of Games
Planetary
The Sum of Us
These Truths
The New Economics
Dictionary of Untranslatables
The Unincorporated Man
Competition Demystified
Markings
Letters of Note
Moby Dick
The Humane Economy
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Awareness
Happiness
The Works
High
Drawing Life
The Giving Tree
Powernomics
Secret Sauce
The Moment of Lift
The Jungle
The Virgin Suicides
Night Sky with Exit Wounds
Poor Numbers
How To Buy Stocks
Memoirs
Bobby Kennedy
The Principia
How Innovation Works
The Great Mental Models
In Search of Lost Time
Fall of Constantinople
A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things
The Art of Spirited Away
March
Mortal Republic
The Psychology of Achievement
Trading Bases
Benjamin Franklin
The Obstacle Is the Way
Death Rattle
Daemon
Structures
The Minefield Girl
Million Dollar Weekend
Flowers for Algernon
Vagabonding
Orwell's Revenge
Black Edge
The Inner Lives of Markets
A Story Lately Told
Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman
The Power of Full Engagement
More Money Than God
The Lord of the Rings
Monetizing Innovation
The Light Of Other Days
The Bully Pulpit
The Professor in the Cage
Meditations
High Output Management
The Story of Design
The DevOps Handbook
The Great Rupture
Whole Earth Discipline
When Genius Failed
The Clash of the Cultures
The Master Switch
That's What She Said
The Kelly Capital Growth Investment Criterion
Dreamland
The Promise of a Pencil
Use of Weapons
Makers
In Defense of Food
Principles of Economics
The Amateur
Happy Money
Liftoff
The Macintosh Way
Competing Against Luck
Start-up Nation
Gridiron Genius
No Two Alike
War
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
The Upanishads
Home Game
Astrophysics for People In a Hurry
Out of Mao's Shadow
A Pattern Language
The Oxford History of Britain
The Demon Under The Microscope
Thank God for Bitcoin
There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere
Behind the Cloud