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Chris Rox
Dec12-05, 11:55 AM
Move at exactly the opposite speed and direction to that of the plane


will the plane be able to take off?


People have been arguing with me for days no saying that it wont.

this is my theory and i would like a few of you on here to let me know if i am right or wrong.


The treadmill is set to move in the opposite direction to the plane but at the same speed

so if the body of the plane is travelling at 20 mph to the left then the belt of the treadmill is travelling at 20 mph to the right

people have been constantly arguing with me that this means the plane will be standing still then.

This is my theory.

the plane is powered by jets which use the exhaust gases to provide the thrust.

the wheels on the plane arent powered and do not provide any drive or forward motion

as the plane apllies the thrust will it be able to move forward and eventually take off?

i am the only one out of about 40 people that says yes, they are all saying no it will sit still because the treadmill is going in the opposite direction to the plane at an equal speed.


the wheels of the plane and the treadmill are in no way related to the jets of the plane


so if the plane is travelling at 200 mph to the left then in theory the treadmill will be travelling at 200 mph to the right

so

will the plane be sitting still?? Or will the wheels be turning at 400 mph in the direction of the treadmill and the plane will be travelling at 200 mph and be able to take off??



PLEASE HELP, IT FEELS LIKE ME AGAINST THE WORLD IN THIS ARGUMENT!!

ZapperZ
Dec12-05, 12:02 PM
Er... what is with this question that seems to be popping up every couple of weeks? Is some website running a contest or something?

Please read these two threads that have appeared already. Continue your discussion in the last thread.

http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=103024
http://physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=101259

Zz.