Randall Munroe
What’s inside
What If? by Randall Munroe is a collection of bizarre and hypothetical questions, each thoughtfully answered with scientific accuracy and a touch of humor. From what would happen if the Earth stopped spinning to the consequences of a DNA-based data storage system, Munroe explores the most outrageous hypotheticals with rigor and imagination.
You’ll Learn
- Understanding scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way
- Exploring the realm of extreme hypothetical situations
- Exercising the imagination within the bounds of scientific possibility
- Developing critical thinking skills through scientific hypotheticals
Key Points
- Gravity and the consequences of a non-rotating Earth
- The repercussions of a sudden immersion in a pool of spent nuclear fuel
- The likelihood and impact of a periodic table-sized atomic nucleus
- The effects of human-powered flight
- The implications of a bullet with the same kinetic energy as a person
- The possibilities and drawbacks of DNA data storage
- The dynamics of a baseball pitch at near-light speed
Who’s it For
- Science enthusiasts
- Fans of hypothetical questions
- Readers who enjoy humor woven with scientific knowledge
About the author
Randall Munroe, a former NASA roboticist, is a cartoonist and the creator of the popular webcomic ‘xkcd’. He is known for his witty and scientific approach to explaining complex scientific theories.