The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

9th Engineer · 12-07-2006, 05:26 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.

12-07-2006, 05:26 PM	#11
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.

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