The submarine would be fine, but the crew would be in trouble.

PICTURE (recommended)

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TEXT

The submarine wouldn’t burst. Submarine hulls are strong enough to withstand 50 to 80 atmospheres of external pressure from water, so they’d have no problem containing 1 atmosphere of internal pressure from air.

The hull would likely be airtight. Although watertight seals don’t necessarily hold back air, the fact that water can’t find a way through the hull under 50 atmospheres of pressure suggests that air won’t escape quickly. There may be a few specialized one-way valves that would let air out, but in all likelihood, the submarine would remain sealed.

The big problem the crew would face would be the obvious one: air.

Nuclear submarines use electricity to extract oxygen from water. In space, there’s no water,^[citation ^needed] so they wouldn’t be able to manufacture more air. They carry enough oxygen in reserve to survive for a few days, at least, but eventually they’d be in trouble.

To stay warm, they could run their reactor, but they’d have to be very careful how much they ran it—because the ocean is colder than space.
Technically, that’s not really true. Everyone knows that space is very cold. The reason spacecraft can overheat is that space isn’t as thermally conductive as water, so heat builds up more quickly in spacecraft than in boats.

But if you’re even more pedantic, it is true. The ocean is colder than space.

Interstellar space is very cold, but space near the Sun—and near Earth—is actually incredibly hot! The reason it doesn’t seem that way is that in space, the definition of “temperature” breaks down a little bit. Space seems cold because it’s so empty. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of a collection of particles. In space, individual molecules have a high average kinetic energy, but there are so few of them that they don’t affect you.

When I was a kid, my dad had a machine shop in our basement, and I remember watching him use a metal grinder. Whenever metal touched the grinding wheel, sparks flew everywhere, showering his hands and clothes. I couldn’t understand why they didn’t hurt him—after all, the glowing sparks were several thousand degrees.

I later learned that the reason the sparks didn’t hurt him was that they were tiny; the heat they carried could be absorbed into the body without warming anything more than a tiny patch of skin.

The hot molecules in space are like the sparks in my dad’s machine shop; they might be hot or cold, but they’re so small that touching them doesn’t change your temperature much.^1 Instead, your heating and cooling is dominated by how much heat you produce and how quickly it pours out of you into the void.

Without a warm environment around you radiating heat back to you, you lose heat by radiation much faster than normal. But without air around you to carry heat from your surface, you also don’t lose much heat by convection.^2 For most human-carrying spacecraft, the latter effect is more important; the big problem isn’t staying warm, it’s keeping cool.

A nuclear submarine is clearly able to maintain a livable temperature inside when the outer hull is cooled to 4°C by the ocean. However, if the submarine’s hull needed to hold this temperature while in space, it would lose heat at a rate of about 6 megawatts while in the shadow of the Earth. This is more than the 20 kilowatts supplied by the crew—and the few hundred kilowatts of apricity^3 when in direct sunlight—so they’d need to run the reactor just to stay warm.^4

To get out of orbit, a submarine would need to slow down enough that it hit the atmosphere. Without rockets, it has no way to do this...

Okay—technically, a submarine does have rockets.

Unfortunately, the rockets are pointing the wrong way to give the submarine a push. Rockets are self-propelling, which means they have very little recoil. When a gun fires a bullet, it’s pushing the bullet up to speed. With a rocket, you just light it and let go. Launching missiles won’t propel a submarine forward.

But not launching them could.**

If the ballistic missiles carried by a modern nuclear submarine were taken from their tubes, turned around, and placed in the tubes backward, they could each change the submarine’s speed by about 4 meters per second. A typical de-orbiting maneuver requires in the neighborhood of 100 m/s of delta-v (speed change), which means that the 24 Trident missiles carried by an Ohio-class submarine could be just enough to get it out of orbit. Now, because the submarine has no heat-dissipating ablative tiles, and because it’s not aerodynamically stable at hypersonic velocities, it would inevitably tumble and break up in the air.

If you tucked yourself into the right crevice in the submarine—and were strapped into an acceleration couch—there’s a tiny, tiny, tiny chance that you could survive the rapid deceleration. Then you’d need to jump out of the wreckage with a parachute before it hit the ground.

If you ever try this, and I suggest you don’t, I have one piece of advice that is absolutely critical: Remember to disable the detonators on the missiles.

^1 This is why, even though matches and torches are about the same temperature, you see tough guys in movies extinguish matches by pinching them but never see them do the same with torches.

^2 Or conduction.

^3 This is my single favorite word in the English language. It means the warmth of sunlight in winter.

^4 When they moved into the Sun, the sub’s surface would warm, but they’d still be losing heat faster than they’d be gaining it.

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Courtesy of Randal Munroe's What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Are you familiar with Randall Munroe's (the xkcd guy) What If? project? He explores very similar questions and also published a book.

What differentiates your project?

why do i feel this should have been in the what if? book?

Edit: fixed link

> What would happen if you made a periodic table out of cube-shaped bricks, where each brick was made of the corresponding element?

> You could stack the top two rows without too much trouble. The third row would burn you with fire, the fourth would kill you with toxic smoke. The fifth row would do all that stuff plus give you a dose of radiation, while the sixth would explode in a radioactive, poisonous fire. Do not build the seventh row.

-Randall Munroe's, What If?

It really depends on how much you're talking about. Plainly, you're probably going to die if you're close enough, but if you really want an in depth analysis—and just a plain good read/listen—about what will happen I'd recommend either listening to the talk Randall gave that /u/Esmyra mentioned below or getting Randall's book I mentioned, because I couldn't find this one online.

Edit: FOUND IT

If you like xkcd, you might also want to check out his book "What If?"

Not very long, but a very fun read. It's a longform format of the other half of his site: https://what-if.xkcd.com/

Check out What If? and Thing Explainer.

http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994

Not directly answering OP's question, but Randall Munroe from xkcd has treated the subject of a "real life periodic table" and its consequences in his What if? book. He also talks about it in a Talk @ Google. I highly recommend to take the time and watch it.

If anyone wasn't aware from the artstyle, this is by Randall Munroe, of xckd fame. It's from his new book, "What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions"

Pages 290-295 if anyone wishes to read it.

^^In ^^the ^^UK ^^edition

A really nice, much prettier, redrawing of this, by the same illustrator, from the inside of the dust jacket of his new book (it's really good):

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_original/875328566035019154.jpg

The book: http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994

Don't know if it's what you're asking, but the one in the center is What If? by Randall Munroe

For a serious suggestion that isn't subversive per se but would be good prep material for more subversive stuff, XKCD's What If book is great. It blends science with the absurd in a way that captures the imagination.

"Direct friction upon the reentry object is not the main cause of shock-layer heating. It is caused mainly from isentropic heating of the air molecules within the compression wave."

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_entry#Real_.28equilibrium.29_gas_model

Also from "What If?" which is an awesome book by Randall Munroe the creator of xkcd http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994

the picture is from What If and the question that leads into this is what if you tried to build a periodic table of the elements with each square being a 1x1x1 meter cube of that actual element. so the first 91 pigs would be messing with the first 91 elements. fluorine does not end well.

I'm a physics teacher, and this is one of my favorite books. She might enjoy it.

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544272994/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9u9czb74GVC44

What If by Randal Munroe. assuming that he does not have it already, this book is absolutely perfect. I own a hardcover copy my mum got me and it is one of my prized possessions. I can absolutely guarantee he will love this. https://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994

He's excellent. Just published a book of What If? thats worth the price.
I got mine signed :)

I nominate /u/allergictoapples because this is badass as hell and someone needs to wear it.
Also /u/lessons_learnt because im really interested to see how the plot of this book unfolds

I just read the chapter on this in "What If?" (http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425600998&sr=8-1&keywords=what+if)

Turns out, you don't want to treat elements like Pokemon. Good luck!

I swore the answer to your question ( similar) was in this book. What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544272994/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7kyQCbFH0EVZ6

Sorry i don't remember the answer though. Try a library for that book, libraries are free.

Sorry that I ask, but after seeing tons of these posts recently, is it this book that pictures are from?

The author put out a great book, too.

I love this one.

huehuehue

Seriously, I apologize.

6

[X] Hit physical activity goal
[X] Work 9-5
[X] Read a few chapters of one of the book from the XKCD guy, Randall Munroe
[X] Meet up with some friends at 7
[->] Finish out content pages on revision 1 of a website I'm working on
[X] 3 Meals
[X] Brush 2x Floss 1x

Finished reading Asura: Tale of the Vanquished last week. For anyone interested in anti-hero tales, this is a must-read. Or if you have had questions which you couldn't dare or weren't allowed to ask when reading/hearing/watching Ramayana, this can quench your thirst. I'd love to see a movie adaptation of this book (sigh).

Currently reading What If by Randall Munroe, creator of xkcd. Its one of those not-to-read-just-to-surf kind of books, although very difficult not to categorize it as a serious book. Well, you know xkcd.

Okay then I'll make some recommendations!

If you're into science: [Death by Black Hole] (https://smile.amazon.com/Death-Black-Hole-Cosmic-Quandaries/dp/039335038X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491764342&sr=8-1&keywords=death+by+black+hole)

If you like classic mysteries: [A Study in Scarlet] (https://smile.amazon.com/Study-Scarlet-Arthur-Conan-Doyle/dp/1514698854/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491764421&sr=8-1&keywords=a+study+in+scarlet)

If you want something absurd: [What If?] (https://smile.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491764514&sr=8-1&keywords=what+if)

And here's some things I have been looking to get: [The Republic] (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0141442433/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=226JO509390Q8&coliid=I2FVTI8SC5VCYS)

and

[The No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics] (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0992001005/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=226JO509390Q8&coliid=I1P7W8OMFLADHK)

Hope one of these sparks an idea!

Randall Munroe of XKCD.com has a book named "What If" that has this EXACT question along with a step by step of what would happen. I would highly suggest it.

You can read ch. 1 as a free sample on the amazon page of the book.

I just picked up this guy's book, it's fantastic. It's always fun to see really random stuff like this explained in semi lay-man terms.

I think you might want What If?, a book by Randall Munroe, xkcd extraordinaire. Hilarious answers to scientific questions!

This is a little big, but What if by Randall Munroe is a pretty good choice. It's by the same guy that makes the XKCD webcomic, and it's hilarious and informative. Nonfiction absurd scenarios and the application of math/science to the weirdest questions. It's not exactly inconspicuous though, and it is a big book.

https://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394474740&sr=1-1&keywords=what+if%3F%2C+munroe

<Sry no idea how to format links>

I personally love this one
https://www.amazon.ca/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=nodl_

Yes, here is the Amazon link.

Though it was originally (and still is) a (sporadically updated) blog, available here. The book contains quite a few questions that are not on the blog, though, like for example what would if you fired a bullet as dense as a neutron star at the earth.

http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394474740&sr=1-1&keywords=what+if%3F%2C+munroe

Hello, I'm not Craig nice to meet you.

God.

If you don't want them to google the answer, are you giving them open-ended enough questions? Just make sure they don't learn about Wolfram Alpha :) that thing can even solve complicated integrals

Edit: As a "yes but how" you could try finding some examples from Randall Munroe's "What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions" https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544272994/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZcCYxbBM10599

"What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions" by Randall Munroe

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0544272994/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475239007&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=what+if%3F

The new book by the Xkcd guy. And it's pretty great!

Yesterday actually came really close to hitting the nail on the head. I got up, went for a long run, had coffee with my mom, then wandered around town with my really good (female) friend/housemate. We hung out at the bookstore for a couple hours reading "What If?", ate chinese food, went on a short hike, then picked up cider and came home and played Scrabble while drinking and snacking. Sounds boring but it was just about the best day I've had in recent memory.

Book on chainmail

Dr.Who mug

Christmas Dr.Who ornament

What if? Book

What if?,A Short History of Nearly Everything, and Concepts of Modern Mathematics.

> ....when the creator/owner of /r/xkcd (among others) finally went inactive for six months, allowing a better group of folks to take over.

begin irrelevancy/

I just read the book by the creator of that sub, ["What If?"] (http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420590797&sr=1-1&keywords=what+if+serious+scientific+answers+to+absurd+hypothetical+questions).

It was quite funny, and the stick figures are great!

/end irrelevancy.

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544272994/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_lQOUub1E8NEFC

http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/

Check out the preview of this book for an answer to what if the earth stopped spinning. TL:DR - the atmosphere, still moving, would create sonic boom winds that would destroy most buildings and people on earth. then there'd be massive firestorms, tsunamis, plant and animal dieoffs, one side of earth would bake in the sun while the other would freeze. Most interesting, the moon would start to fall towards earth, but then its pull would cause the tide to begin to rotate the earth again over time.

Hi :)

I have been looking for This and This
to add to my collection, but since they are NEW I havent made posts about them here since I didnt think anyone would have them to part with yet

Check out What If? The author answers that question.

He sounds like a younger version of myself! Technical and adventurous in equal measure. My girlfriend and I tend to organise surprise activities or adventures we can do together as gifts which I love - it doesn't have to be in any way extravegant but having someone put time and thought into something like that it amazing.

You could get something to do with nature and organise a trip or local walk that would suit his natural photography hobby. I love to learn about new things and how stuff works so if he's anything like me, something informative that fits his photography style like a guide to local wildflowers or bug guide. I don't know much about parkour but I do rock climb and a beginners bouldering or climbing session might also be fun and something you can do together.

For a more traditional gift Randall Munroe from the web comic XKCD has a couple of cool books that might be of interest - Thing Explainer and What If. Also the book CODE is a pretty good book for an inquisitive programmer and it isn't tied to any particular language, skillset or programming level.

You need to get him http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994

if only for the question "what would happen if i made a wall of the periodic table with the bricks being made of their parts"

Buy him the book "What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions." http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ It's from the author of the xkcd comics which are pretty popular around computer scientists

This book written by the guy from XKCD

Randall Monroe's What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions is a fun read. It's not a narrative, but it follows scientific thinking and if very entertaining. Or, Homer Hickam's October Sky is a good narrative.

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Blog is down, but preorder button at Amazon is up: http://www.amazon.com/What-If-Scientific-Hypothetical-Questions/dp/0544272994/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_tnr_2

For those of us who don't need no stinkin' limey link: 'Merica!

If you haven't already, buy the book. It has all the best what ifs and a few new ones that are fun, I highly suggest it.

• Randall Munroe's (the xkcd guy) What If
  
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (also sold as Bladerunner)
  
• English versions of Japanese manga