Physics Question for you.....

[Papa]

Scorppio got it exactly right.

Papa

[lcm1947]

No it won't be able to take off. There would be no air lift to allow it to become airborne. I think it would be similar to a boat motoring at say 10 MPR with a 10 MPR current, it's not going anywhere. That's my simple thinking anyway.

[LarryG]

No, the plane will never take off, no matter how fast the conveyor belt is running, because the wings are not moving relative to the air.

It's similar to a car engine hooked to a dyno. No matter how many RPM it turns, how much torque is produced, or how much horsepower is cranked out ... the engine stays right where it is until it's either shut down, runs out of fuel, or blows up.

[scorrpio]

Plane wing is profiled so that when airflow is present, an elevated pressure zone is formed under the wing, and near-vacuum above it. This produces an upward thrust (antiwings on racing cars act int the opposite direction, pressing the car to ground for more traction) If plane is not moving relative to the air around it, no upward thrust is generated, and plane will not lift off.

[big tim]

If the plane isn't moving, neither is the conveyor belt or since the belt takes it speedcue from the speed of the plane it will always lag a bit and eventually the plane will take off.
Oh forget it!

Tim

[offthemark]

Yes, the plane uses air to push, not friction with the ground. Let's say it needs a speed of 100 to take off. At the moment of takeoff it is moving 100. The converyor is moving at 100 backwards. The wheels are effectively spinning at 200. Assuming the wheels can handle double speed without blowing out, should be able to take off.

[HarmsWay]

How big is the conveyor relative to the plane size?

Bob

[jspelbring]

Nope

Since the plane will be essentially standing still, there will be no "wind beneath its wings". No airflow, no lift, no fly.

[Stytooner]

No.
I don't think so. The air around the plane isn't moving. Its sitting still. You will wear out the landing gear bearings and tires that way though. Don't hit the brakes either unless you can fly in reverse.

[Russianwolf]

A plane is standing on runway that can move (some sort of band conveyer). The plane moves in one direction, while the conveyer moves in the opposite direction. This conveyer has a control system that tracks the plane speed and tunes the speed of the conveyer to be exactly the same (but in opposite direction).

The question is:

Will the plane take off or not? Will it be able to run up and take off?