The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

[LabRat]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Now, concerning Labrat's bicycle analogy, one thing is missing. The airport moving walkway would speed up to counteract the push that you give the bike.

Yeah, and in doing so, make the wheels turn faster. But the bike would keep on keepin' on with you pushing it.

Here is something you can test--if you're near a large airport.

If you are pulling one of your airport bags with the wheels on it down the airport terminal, then walk onto (or next to with the bag still on the thingie) a moving walkway thingie, and continue to walk at the same speed what happens? The bag does not stop moving because the tread underneath it is going in the opposite direction. It continues forward because YOU are pulling it, while the wheels spin faster than they were when they were on solid ground. You=the plane's thrusters. the bag = the plane on wheels.

TRY IT!!!!!!!