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Old 02-01-2008, 02:44 PM   #39 (permalink)
JackThe Ripper
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yah i gotta say that once you see it happen, it is pretty obvious, the question doesent define many parameters

I always assumed that the question was weather or not it would take off with a treadmill movingin the opposite direction, i never though about the plane itself moving forward, probably due to the nature of a treadmill.

A car in that scenario will not move forward because the propulsion comes from the wheels pushing against the ground, and if the ground is moving backwards, well, the car wont actually move forwards

the plane on the other hand uses propulsion but pulling itself against air, the treadmill may be moving, but the air isnt, so when the plane starts up it WILL move forward by pulling itself ahead with its propeller. The treadmill moves 40mph one direction, the plane 40mph the other direction, but the wheel speed is 80mph.

for some reason, i had limited myself to thinking that the treadmill was moving, and the wheels were moving, but the plane was not moving.
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