The "Plane on a Treadmill" Question

[skysidhe]

The original question says the treadmill matches the planes speed. It cancels out. The plane isn't moving forward to create airflow over and under the wings so it isn't going to fly.

[hideouse]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

The original question says the treadmill matches the planes speed. It cancels out. The plane isn't moving forward to create airflow over and under the wings so it isn't going to fly.

it doesn't matter that the treadmill matches the planes speed. The wheels aren't driving the plane. The treadmill will only affect the rotation of the wheels, which will only affect the movement of the plane if the brakes are applied and the surface of the treadmills won't allow a skid. In which case the tires will eventually blow and the plane will skid on it's rims.

The treadmill can make the wheels be still by matching the forward movement of the plane. it can make the wheels roll backward while the plane moves forward by moving faster than the speed of the plane. it can make the wheels move forward by moving slower than the speed of the plane. But until the plane becomes a car with a drive shaft mechanicallly linked to the engines the movement of the wheels will have no effect on the movement of the plane.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by hideouse

it doesn't matter that the treadmill matches the planes speed. The wheels aren't driving the plane.

The question states that the treadmill matches the plane's speed. Wheels be damned. If you believe the question, you believe the treadmill matches the plane's speed, regardless of what the wheels are doing. The question is: what is the plane's speed relative to? And this information is not provided. It's only a trick question in the sense that it tricks you into thinking there is any determinable answer. As it is stated, there isn't.