Editor's Note:

"Read ten thousand books, and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society. To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.

Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at reading@globaltimes.com.cn

Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected.

Photo: VCG

"What would happen if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning?" "If everyone on Earth opened their fridge at the same time, would the planet get colder?" These questions are amusing and might also sound absurd, but in writer Randall Munroe's What If, they are answered with serious yet hilarious scientific explanations. 

Dare to ask 

As a young student, after reading this book, I learned a lot of scientific theories. The book was written by Randall Munroe, who is a robot coder and an internet comic book author. 

In this book, I not only learned a lot of scientific knowledge but also realized that science is not just complicated theories, but deeply connected to our daily lives, and it can even start with the weirdest questions.

While reading the book, I gradually realized that asking questions is not a bad thing, and some really easy or common ones can be really hard. For example, why does your hair stand up when you rub a balloon on it? Physics tells us that electrons are transferred from your hair to the balloon. 

But why do electrons transfer from your hair to the balloon and not the other way around? Nobody knows the answer, because in physics this is a general theory with no clear explanation.

Secondly, this book inspired me to look for new knowledge and use that knowledge to explain things that happen around me. In our lives, many questions cannot be explained through common sense but require serious science. For instance, why does the light at the top of a fire appear to vibrate? The answer is that the fire heats the air, and when air is hot, light passing through it cannot travel in a straight line.

More to find  

The book has also changed the way that I understand science. Before reading it, I always thought of science as a serious subject filled with complex formulas and hard-to-understand concepts. 

But this book completely changed my perspective. Munroe uses humor and simple illustrations to turn seemingly silly questions into starting points for exploring science. However, the book made me realize that science can be incredibly entertaining!

Meanwhile, this book taught me that asking questions is a crucial part of learning science. Many of the questions Munroe answers come from ordinary people, and some even seem "stupid" at first glance. 

But it's these questions that spark curiosity and drive scientific progress. The book What If made me realize that cultivating an interest in science can start with asking small questions. And the questions don't necessarily have to be highly profound. I came to understand that science exists in my everyday life. Since reading this book, I've started to observe the little details of daily life, such as why dumplings float when they're cooked.

Reading the book has also inspired me to look at the world through the lens of science. Before, when I saw the light at the top of a flame flickering, I would just think, "Wow, that's cool." But now I know it's because the flame heats the air, causing the light to refract. This shift from "cool" to "I understand why" has given me a deeper appreciation of the world around me. 

Science is like a key that unlocks the door to understanding the unknown.

Curiosity and creativity  

Another thing I enjoyed was the writer's humor. In the book, Munroe uses simple drawings and funny analogies to make complex scientific concepts easy to understand. For example, when explaining what would happen if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning, he drew a picture of people and objects flying off like jiggling jelly. This humorous approach not only made me laugh but also helped me grasp the science behind it.

Reading What If has inspired me to be more curious and creative. It showed me that no question is too silly to ask, and that even the most bizarre ideas can lead to fascinating discoveries. 

Now, whenever I see something unusual, I try to think about the science behind it. For example, why does popcorn pop? Why do rainbows form? These questions might seem simple, but they open up a world of scientific exploration.

In short, What If is more than just a book - it's a gateway to seeing the world in a new way. 

Munroe's unique blend of humor, science, and creativity has made learning fun and accessible. As a middle school student, this book has not only expanded my knowledge but also encouraged me to ask questions, think critically, and explore the wonders of science. If you are looking for a book that is both entertaining and educational, What If is definitely worth reading！

Reading the book also made me interested in the author himself. Born in 1984, Munroe's unique ability to explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible and entertaining way has earned him a global following.

The author is a student at Beijing No.20 High School