Can a plane take off on a conveyor belt?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether a plane can take off from a conveyor belt, particularly in light of an upcoming MythBusters episode that aims to address this scenario. Participants explore various perspectives on the physics involved, referencing Newton's Laws and the implications of motion on a conveyor system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the premise, suggesting that intuitive thinking may lead to misconceptions about the physics involved, particularly regarding Newton's Laws.
  • One participant argues that there is no force preventing the plane from moving forward except for minor friction in the wheel bearings, implying that the plane should be able to take off.
  • Links to related videos are shared, indicating that some participants find alternative explanations or demonstrations more compelling.
  • There are humorous remarks about necroposting and its implications, drawing a parallel to the discussion topic in a light-hearted manner.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the question of whether a plane can take off from a conveyor belt. There are competing views regarding the physics at play, with some asserting that the plane will take off while others express doubt about the intuitive understanding of the situation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to popular media and personal anecdotes, which may influence participants' perspectives. The reliance on intuitive versus analytical thinking is a recurring theme, but specific assumptions and definitions regarding motion and force are not fully explored.

D H
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Insights Author
Messages
15,524
Reaction score
769
We will finally have an answer to this silly question on January 30, when the boys at MythBusters try to make a plane take off while on a moving conveyor belt. A preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSBFQOfas60".
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hmm...all those episodes of this show I saw last year must've been pretty old. Adam has a lot more hair on his head and is also fatter!

As for the plane-on-a-conveyor-belt, I bet it'll go around like the Mars Hoax, though it may not be a periodical phenomenon. But at last, we can point people to some experiments.
 
How could anyone with half an idea about Newton's Laws EVER believe that the plane wouldn't take off? Just what force is there to stop the plane moving forward (except a tiny bit more friction in the wheel bearings).
It just shows what happens when you start to think intuitively and not analytically about Science. It's a bit like the Global Warming thing!
 
edward said:
Cool link Cyrus. This is a must see for my grandson.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Too bad Newton didn't come up with the laws of necroposting...
 
S_Happens said:
Too bad Newton didn't come up with the laws of necroposting...

Equal but opposite reaction. Everytime someone necroposts, the original post is sent into the future by an equal amount of time.

In other words, if, in Feb 2010, you necropost to a thread to you started in April 2003, your post of April 2003 was sent into the future - specifically to Feb 2010.

In this case, things get very convoluted as Borek shows in Feb 2010 that the Jan 2008 Mythbusters episode actually copied the Nov 2008 Top Gear in their episode about the jet engine thrust.

I knew that would happen.
 
You forgot the necropost "reaction"...thread locked.
 

Similar threads

What happens to a ball placed on a moving conveyor belt?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
High School Can a 747 Take Off on a Conveyor Belt?
  • · Replies 127 ·
5
Replies
127
Views
17K
Friction between a mass and a conveyor belt (ENGAA 2017)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Dynamics Question -- packages discharged from a conveyor belt
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Find the force on a conveyor belt
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Engineering Loads on a shaft with V-Belts
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Solving Conveyor Belt Stress for Beginners
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Can an airplane on a conveyor belt achieve flight?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Understanding the Discrepancy in Power Calculation for a Moving Conveyor Belt
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Anecdotes about situations wherein a little scientific knowledge paid off
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K