A plane is standing on a runway that can move (like a giant runway length treadmill). The plane moves in one direction, while the treadmill moves in the opposite direction. This treadmill has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the treadmill to be exactly the same as the plane's wheels (but in the opposite direction). Can the plane take off?
I should have added off the bat: please explain your answer. If Yes, why, if No, why not.
But tally sofar is a 3 no and one i dunno
5 comments:
eh...guess I should have paid more attention during physics class.
No,
unless it's one of those wowie-zowie rotating engine planes that can take off like a helicoper then fly like a plane.
Not a chance.
Yes. The wheels of the plane would not even turn unless the plane was moving in space. The only difference from a normal takeoff is the rotational speed of the tires would exceed the speed of the plane relative to the ground. Since they just rotate (not wheel driven), this can happen.
You mention the plane moves, but do not state how fast. A plane- depending on teh size) needs to reach a particular ground speed - not just the speed of its wheels. As Geert mentioned there ha to be an air velocity over the wings to create an upward thrust. Maybe if there was a fan as giant as the treadmill - it might have a chance - otherwise - I'd say no.
But sincee you work at an IVY league institution - you prolly have some slick explanation on how it can.
That and I went to grad school for biomedical engineering. Not aerospace engineering...
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