What If? 10th Anniversary Edition

Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

By Randall Munroe | Publisher: HarperCollins

About the book

A special 10th anniversary edition of the million-copy bestseller What If? from the creator of the wildly popular webcomic xkcd—revised and annotated with brand-new illustrations and answers to the most absurd hypothetical questions you never thought to ask.

Fans of xkcd ask Munroe a lot of strange questions: What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last? What if everyone only had one soulmate? What would happen if the moon went away?

In pursuit of answers for these wild thought experiments, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations, and consults with nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by his signature xkcd comics. (They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.)

In celebration of 10 years of unusual insight, Randall Munroe has revised his classic blockbuster to ask what if? x 10. The result is 10x the adventure of scientific inquiry. Featuring brand-new 2-color annotations and illustrations, this special anniversary edition is far more than a book for geeks; this popular science book explains the laws of science in operation in a way that every intelligent reader will enjoy and feel much smarter for having read.

What happens when you apply real-world physics to the wildest hypotheticals?

  • Humorous Science: Discover the city-leveling destruction that would occur if a baseball were pitched at 90 percent the speed of light.
  • Physics and Math Explained: Follow along as complex topics are explored using computer simulations, declassified military research, and signature stick-figure comics.
  • Outrageous Scenarios: Calculate the global chaos that would ensue from draining the oceans or building a jetpack out of machine guns.
  • A Perfect Gift for Nerds: Praised as a laugh-out-loud, educational, and entertaining read, this book is the ideal present for anyone with a curious and slightly twisted mind.

Editions of What If? 10th Anniversary Edition

Hardcover
ISBN 9780544272996
Hardcover
ISBN 9780063412644
EBook
ISBN 9780544272644

Read an Excerpt

A special 10th anniversary edition of the million-copy bestseller What If? from the creator of the wildly popular webcomic xkcd—revised and annotated with brand-new illustrations and answers to the most absurd hypothetical questions you never thought to ask.

Fans of xkcd ask Munroe a lot of strange questions: What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last? What if everyone only had one soulmate? What would happen if the moon went away?

In pursuit of answers for these wild thought experiments, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations, and consults with nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by his signature xkcd comics. (They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.)

In celebration of 10 years of unusual insight, Randall Munroe has revised his classic blockbuster to ask what if? x 10. The result is 10x the adventure of scientific inquiry. Featuring brand-new 2-color annotations and illustrations, this special anniversary edition is far more than a book for geeks; this popular science book explains the laws of science in operation in a way that every intelligent reader will enjoy and feel much smarter for having read.

What happens when you apply real-world physics to the wildest hypotheticals?

  • Humorous Science: Discover the city-leveling destruction that would occur if a baseball were pitched at 90 percent the speed of light.
  • Physics and Math Explained: Follow along as complex topics are explored using computer simulations, declassified military research, and signature stick-figure comics.
  • Outrageous Scenarios: Calculate the global chaos that would ensue from draining the oceans or building a jetpack out of machine guns.
  • A Perfect Gift for Nerds: Praised as a laugh-out-loud, educational, and entertaining read, this book is the ideal present for anyone with a curious and slightly twisted mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is What If? 10th Anniversary Edition about?

A special 10th anniversary edition of the million-copy bestseller What If? from the creator of the wildly popular webcomic xkcd—revised and annotated with brand-new illustrations and answers to the most absurd hypothetical questions you never thought to ask.

Fans of xkcd ask Munroe a lot of strange questions: What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last? What if everyone only had one soulmate? What would happen if the moon went away?

In pursuit of answers for these wild thought experiments, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations, and consults with nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by his signature xkcd comics. (They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.)

In celebration of 10 years of unusual insight, Randall Munroe has revised his classic blockbuster to ask what if? x 10. The result is 10x the adventure of scientific inquiry. Featuring brand-new 2-color annotations and illustrations, this special anniversary edition is far more than a book for geeks; this popular science book explains the laws of science in operation in a way that every intelligent reader will enjoy and feel much smarter for having read.

What happens when you apply real-world physics to the wildest hypotheticals?

  • Humorous Science: Discover the city-leveling destruction that would occur if a baseball were pitched at 90 percent the speed of light.
  • Physics and Math Explained: Follow along as complex topics are explored using computer simulations, declassified military research, and signature stick-figure comics.
  • Outrageous Scenarios: Calculate the global chaos that would ensue from draining the oceans or building a jetpack out of machine guns.
  • A Perfect Gift for Nerds: Praised as a laugh-out-loud, educational, and entertaining read, this book is the ideal present for anyone with a curious and slightly twisted mind.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in What If? 10th Anniversary Edition?

Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary subjects > Encyclopaedias and reference works > Miscellanies and compendia

Where can I read a sample of What If? 10th Anniversary Edition?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780544272996

Who is/are the Author/s of the book What If? 10th Anniversary Edition?

Randall Munroe

Who is the Publisher of the book What If? 10th Anniversary Edition?

HarperCollins

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

What If? 10th Anniversary Edition is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780544272996) and hardcover(ISBN 9780063412644) and ebook(ISBN 9780544272644)

Where can I buy What If? 10th Anniversary Edition online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy What If? 10th Anniversary Edition from below

Where can I buy What If? 10th Anniversary Edition?