What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

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The #1 New York Times-bestselling author of What If? and How To answers the weirdest questions you never thought to ask. Millions who loved What If? still have stranger queries, and xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to assist. Ever wondered about riding a fire pole from the moon to Earth? The toughest part is the landing. Curious about cooling the atmosphere by opening everyone's freezer door simultaneously? A quick lesson in thermodynamics might be in order. Interested in the outcomes of riding a helicopter blade, constructing a billion-story building, creating a lava lamp with real lava, or jumping on a geyser during an eruption? You're in for a treat. Before embarking on a cosmic road trip, feeding New Yorkers to a T. rex, or filling churches with bananas, consult this guide for impractical ideas. Unfazed by absurdity, Randall draws on the latest research, from swing-set physics to airplane-catapult design, to answer readers' questions clearly. He shows that examining extreme scenarios can teach us a lot about how the world works. Packed with outrageous science, endless curiosity, and Randall's signature stick-figure comics, this sequel is sure to become a classic for inquisitive readers of all ages.