The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

12-07-2006, 05:51 PM

Of course not... the air moving across the wing gives lift (a very simplistic description, at-best). The treadmill negates that.

9th Engineer · 12-07-2006, 06:26 PM

We all have been assuming that the air does not accelerate with the treadmill, which is correct. It is also why the treadmill has no effect. The jet engines push against the AIR, nothing else, so if the air does not accelerate with the treatmill then there must be a constant force pushing back on the aircraft (basic physics). Since the treadmill is only in contact with the wheels, and the wheels cannot transmit a force back onto the aircraft (no brakes being applied), there is an unballenced force acting on the body of the plain. Therefore, the plane must accelerate.

Happy Monkey · 12-07-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Of course not... the air moving across the wing gives lift (a very simplistic description, at-best). The treadmill negates that.

It would if it kept the plane stationary relative to the ground, which it can't.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-07-2006, 07:42 PM

Jet engines don't push against the air, they push against the plane. The plane will be pushed forward until it reaches takeoff velocity, no matter what speed the wheels are turning. All they do is keep the plane from dragging on the ground. Planes take off from runways that are moving at 1000 mph, under them, every day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

The answer to why manholes are round? Because men are round. Duh

So a man can tip open a lid that would be to heavy to lift.

Griff · 12-07-2006, 07:51 PM

9 pages on topic, impressive. Unless the runway is moving air, you've got nothing but a over-powered paper weight.

9th Engineer · 12-07-2006, 07:54 PM

and it keeps the covers from falling down into the sewers

xoxoxoBruce · 12-07-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

and it keeps the covers from falling down into the sewers

Yes, I forgot that important part.

12-07-2006, 06:26 PM	#2
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	We all have been assuming that the air does not accelerate with the treadmill, which is correct. It is also why the treadmill has no effect. The jet engines push against the AIR, nothing else, so if the air does not accelerate with the treatmill then there must be a constant force pushing back on the aircraft (basic physics). Since the treadmill is only in contact with the wheels, and the wheels cannot transmit a force back onto the aircraft (no brakes being applied), there is an unballenced force acting on the body of the plain. Therefore, the plane must accelerate. __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

12-07-2006, 07:51 PM	#5
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	9 pages on topic, impressive. Unless the runway is moving air, you've got nothing but a over-powered paper weight. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-07-2006, 07:54 PM	#6
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	and it keeps the covers from falling down into the sewers __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

12-07-2006, 05:51 PM	#1
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	Of course not... the air moving across the wing gives lift (a very simplistic description, at-best). The treadmill negates that.

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