Plane on a treadmill poll...

[Ruiner]

Just answer the poll. I'm not looking for some explanation as I already know the damn answer. Either you think that the plane will take off or it won't. It's very simple. I would like to keep a record of who says it will and who says it won't. When the question is finally proven, we can all laugh at the people who were wrong. I made this thread public so that all of IA.com can know where you stand. Don't be a pussy, answer up. Stand by your convictions...

Why am I doing this? I'm bored.

Here is the question:

Suppose a plane is on a runway that acts as a conveyer belt. The conveyor belt is as long as a typical runway. The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction at the same speed as the plane. The wheels of the plane are free-rolling. Will the plane be able to take off?

Once again, I don't want an explanation. I already know the answer.

[TheSnail]

Yes because a plane is propelled by pushing air. It will go and take off at the same speed but its wheels will just spin faster.

[SixSquared]

No... backwards and forwards movement = the plane is standing still, even though the wheels are moving. Planes count on airflow to get lift.... you don't feel a breeze when you run on a treadmill.. therefore, no lift = no flying.

[TheSnail]

No... backwards and forwards movement = the plane is standing still, even though the wheels are moving. Planes count on airflow to get lift.... you don't feel a breeze when you run on a treadmill.. therefore, no lift = no flying.

It will move because its pushing its self by its propeller. Doesnt matter if the ground is moving or not. The wheels will just spin faster.

[fight club]

yes. see ruiners picture in last thread about this.

[Wurm]

fighter jets can take off from a standstill hehe

[TheSnail]

fighter jets can take off from a standstill hehe

Harriet jet FTW!

[Wurm]

nbut the question never says anything about the engine running or having a pilot

[Ruiner]

Yes because a plane is propelled by pushing air. It will go and take off at the same speed but its wheels will just spin faster.

So very true, but unfortunately, people can't grasp this concept.

[Wurm]

dont make snail feel smart

[TheSnail]

All it takes is Physics 101 lol, if even that.

[speedminded]

Wait, you mean planes aren't powered by their wheels?!!! Well GD, you learn something new everyday.

I want funding from sponsors to make a scale version of this experiment to make people feel really dumb, jsut to show those "engineers" that said otherwise

[BABY J]

Funny, Ruiner said do not say WHY. Now the results are diluted b/c SOME1 gave the answer away.

[TheSnail]

Funny, Ruiner said do not say WHY. Now the results are diluted b/c SOME1 gave the answer away.

Oh wups, didnt read that part. I thought we had to back up our vote.

[BABY J]

LOL. Saul Goode homey.

[Jblizzard]

nope

[RandomGuy]

lol i doubted the man in the first thread bc it seemed like it wouldnt take off... but then i thought of it like this:

u know scuba divers... they have those water jet things they hold and they move them through the water really fast:


a water jet right

imagine the diver diving upside down, on the floor, with wheels on his back.
now imagine the ocean floor is a giant treadmill in the scenario given...

would he stay put in once place, or would he continue to move forward, once the treadmill turns on?

[TheSnail]

lol i doubted the man in the first thread bc it seemed like it wouldnt take off... but then i thought of it like this:

u know scuba divers... they have those water jet things they hold and they move them through the water really fast:


a water jet right

imagine the diver diving upside down, on the floor, with wheels on his back.
now imagine the ocean floor is a giant treadmill in the scenario given...

would he stay put in once place, or would he continue to move forward, once the treadmill turns on?

If the treadmill creates a current then no.

[Kevykev]

Depends on if the Place has VTEC!


cheap joke

btw Ruiner, you shouldn't have voted because the pussies will follow!


Poll is inevitably flawed

[RandomGuy]

If the treadmill creates a current then no.

[TheSnail]

What did I spell current wrong?

[RandomGuy]

What did I spell current wrong?

Nah, you spelled it right

[TheSnail]

Damn why did I have to wonder if what you just typed was a link!

[RandomGuy]

Damn why did I have to wonder if what you just typed was a link!

blaahhaha human nature

[TheSnail]

blaahhaha human nature

Bastard

[Ruiner]

btw Ruiner, you shouldn't have voted because the pussies will follow!


Poll is inevitably flawed

It wouldn't matter. People still refuse to believe... That's okay.

[HyPer50]

I still say no... I just can't picture it even though what you've said DOES make sense... damnit ruiner, sell your porsche and make a full scale experiment just to prove it lmao.

[Ruiner]

I still say no... I just can't picture it even though what you've said DOES make sense... damnit ruiner, sell your porsche and make a full scale experiment just to prove it lmao.

It's a shame that you won't believe me.

Why don't you think that it would take off again?

[Z0_o6]

yes it will take off. period.

[HyPer50]

It's a shame that you won't believe me.

Why don't you think that it would take off again?

I just have trouble visualizing it going forward without a solid surface... seems like since the ground is going in reverse and the plane is going forward it would just sit there neutral, but your point does make sense... that no power goes to the wheels. like i said, i dont doubt you.. just can't seem to picture it, i'm slow i guess ha.

[Z0_o6]

one word: Bernulli (sp?)


look it up

[TheSnail]

Picture being on roller blades on a treadmill. Hold on to the bars and pull yourself foward. Now turn on the treadmill and do it again.

[Z0_o6]

maybe its Bernouli


yeah that sounds good

[ScreaminZetec]

So very true, but unfortunately, people can't grasp this concept.

Your right, I just didnt think about the airplane having the thrust to overcome the speed of the tread mill. As long as it can generate forward movement enough to create airflow over then wings then yeah it would take off. I was thinking about it as if the airplane ran at the same speed as the tread mill as in no forward movement.

[BABY J]

1 word for all of you non-believers. Aircraft carriers. Now (modern carriers) they have the catapult to assist. But back in the day they did not. Plane will launch. BELIEVE IT!

[fight club]

Your right, I just didnt think about the airplane having the thrust to overcome the speed of the tread mill. As long as it can generate forward movement enough to create airflow over then wings then yeah it would take off. I was thinking about it as if the airplane ran at the same speed as the tread mill as in no forward movement.

no, your wrong. the plane doesnt have to overcome anything. the plane will take off as it would normally. the wheels would just be spinning really fast.

[BABY J]

Agreed!!!

[speedminded]

no, your wrong. the plane doesnt have to overcome anything. the plane will take off as it would normally. the wheels would just be spinning really fast.

Exactly, the plane would take off no differantly with the exception that the wheels would be spinning at the same rate the plane is traveling forward PLUS the speed the treadmill is going. It's REALLY simple, a treadmill has ZERO effect on air movement, currents, drag, lift, etc.

[{X}Echo419]

No... backwards and forwards movement = the plane is standing still, even though the wheels are moving. Planes count on airflow to get lift.... you don't feel a breeze when you run on a treadmill.. therefore, no lift = no flying.

this is correct! DRAG makes a plane fly! the wind traveling over the wings creates "DRAG". without it the plane will not take off.
think about it. are the wheels on the plane powered at all? no.
put a FAT A$$ fan in front of that treadmill(and boy it would have to be big) to simulate the air traveling over the wings and the mutha fooker will rise.
I can't believe some of you actually believe a plane would fly on a treadmill.

[BABY J]

^^ You do not feel wind on a treadmill b/c you are pushing against the ground (like cars do). The jet engines are pushing against the WIND. It will take off.