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Any speed relative to the ground is matched by the treadmill speed relative to the plane to infinity. I think you all are picturing this treadmill as having a point of maximum speed - but it does not. And it doesnt need it.

Momentum is mass times velocity correct?

Velocity of the plane matches velocity of treadmill. They cancel out. Zero. So the plane 100 lbs.

100x0 is zero - no momentum.

No momentum means no forward motion.


THEY DO NOT CANCEL OUT! AIR speed of the plane increases as the WHEELSPEED of the plane increases X2 The plane cares NOTHING about the treadmill moving backwards ever at any point in this problem. Begining, end, middle... nowhere does it matter. Treadmill speed, OR direction is irrelevant to the plane taking off. It could be matching the planes speed, and DOUBLING it in direction that the plane is going, and it woudl not HELP the plane take off just like it will not HINDER the plane from taking off while going in reverse.


Phil. The treadmill cannot FORCE the plane in ANY direction no matter what.

IF we go by the riddle, the treadmill will move in the opposite direction at the speed of the plane except in reverse, and YOU SAY that this will cancel the foward movement of the plane out relative to a set point in space.

THE TREADMILL in all of its infinity CANNOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE HOLD THE PLANE BACK, AND KEEP IT STATIONARY. Tell me why it can,(I WANT YOU TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY the treadmill will hold the plane back.. I want to know "your" FORCES involved in the treadmill NEGATING the planes foward movement) and you will prove this in your favor.