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http://what-if.xkcd.com/1/
"ANSWERING YOUR HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS WITH PHYSICS, EVERY TUESDAY."
It seems that XKCD is expanding beyond cartoons to give us a better understanding of physics. At this point, there are two questions answered:
1) What would happen if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light?
2) What if everyone who took the SAT guessed on every multiple-choice question? How many perfect scores would there be?
Question 1 is quite interesting and I especially love drawing number 3 in the explanation. Needless to say, it's something I will be looking forward to every Tuesday from now on.
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Seems like more general science and math stuff, the SAT question had 0 physics in it lol
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It was still pretty cool though
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This is amazing. I loved having these conversations when I worked in a physics research laboratory. The "what ifs" in physics are great. I'm hoping he does more relativity-based questions. Those are always the most fun.
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Israel2209 Posts
The first one was very nice, still not sure if it applies when the baseball bat has a huge mass.
The 2nd one was VERY disappointing though. Stuff that every person that learned probability in highschool should know how to calculate.
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The first one was great, I showed it to my dad and he thought it was interesting aswell.
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Very nice! Now I love xkcd even more :D
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The baseball one was pretty hilarious and went in a completely different direction from what the asker intended.
I think he did what he could on the probability thing - honestly, about all you can do is be creative in showing how ridiculously small the probability is. Perhaps he could have chosen a different question to answer.
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Saw this on Reddit today, really enjoyed reading the baseball one :D
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Didn't really like the yoda one that much :/
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I think this is growing nicely, so yes it's obviously not that amazing, but give it 10, 20 years? I'm excited.
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I remember spending like three consecutive days late evening watching XKCD youtube videos.
I still want more stuff on time! Honestly think this has the potential to become a full-fledged TV show.
I also recommend the philosophy simplifiers on youtube as well - basically a kindred spirit.
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The baseball one was definitely the best read, largely cuz there was much more science to it to calculate. Lol, and as for the SAT one, when I say I had good luck guessing, godddddaaaamn i must've been lucky =P
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Israel2209 Posts
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That picture of an unsuspecting batter is priceless.
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A careful reading of official Major League Baseball Rule 6.08(b) suggests that in this situation, the batter would be considered "hit by pitch", and would be eligible to advance to first base.
Hahaha can't stop laughing!
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Hey, this is actually pretty cool 
I gained significantly more respect for that guy after I learned about what he did for a profession. I thought he was just a random guy with too much time on his hands, but turns out he's a boss who has a lot of experience in these these and also happens to have a pretty good sense of humor 
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Hahahaha, this is by far the best one IMO.
Well at least it has the best comedic value. It doesn't really have as much physics as the others.
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thank you for giving me a good read!
these are pretty cool
moles .-.
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I remember reading the baseball one when it was the only one, will have to go through all the new ones, glad this reminded me.
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EPT
