The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Flint

In order for the question not to contradict itself, you have to assume that the plane "moving forward" is only relative to the treadmill.

Nope. That is one interpretation, but that interpretation requires you to assume that planes don't work the way they do. It is not possible for the speed of a treadmill to affect the speed of the plane (short of mechanical failure in the wheels). Therefore, your interpretation is incorrect. You must assume that the plane is moving forward relative to the ground, and the treadmill is moving backward at the same speed, relative to the ground. That is the only physically possible interpretation.

Right. The treadmill is preventing the plane from moving forward because it matches it's forward speed.

Nope, the plane keeps going forward, the treadmill moves backward, and the wheels do double duty.