What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Question: “What is the total nutritional value (calories, fat, vitamins, minerals, etc.) of the average human body?” (142). A cartoon suggests that the questioner needs the answer quickly.

Question: “What temperature would a chainsaw (or other cutting implement) need to be at to instantly cauterize any injuries inflicted with it?” (142). A cartoon suggests that the questioner needs the answer quickly.

Question: “How much Force power can Yoda output?” (143).

Yoda’s greatest feat of strength is raising the X-wing spacecraft from a swamp on planet Dagobah. Assuming, per Wookieepedia, that gravity on Dagobah is 90% of Earth’s, estimating the size of the X-wing at five metric tons, and judging, per the relevant Star Wars film, the craft’s rate of rise at 0.39 meters per second, the amount of power Yoda generates is roughly 19 kilowatts or 25 horsepower.

When the emperor zaps Luke, the power generated—comparable to that emitted in the lightning from a Tesla coil—is roughly 10 kilowatts, though sustained imperial zaps might reach megawatt levels.

Question: “Which US state is actually flown over the most?” (146).

The most frequently flown-over state is Virginia. Next are “Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania” (147). Much of the cause is Atlanta International in Georgia, the world’s busiest airport, with constant flights up the busy eastern US corridor.