The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

[Flint]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

It's very counterintuitive if the only wheeled vehicles you've ever been in moved by applying power to the wheels.

I don't think anyone in the history of this question has ever thought that the wheels are the source of propulsion for the plane. Also, I don't think anyone has ever thought that a plane can take off without air moving over the wings. The question is designed to get groups of people arguing about two completely different scenarios, and these non-points are inherent in the comparison between the two. Based on what you believe the question is stating as the premise (which isn't specified), there are two different outcomes. There is no "right" answer.