Originally Posted by
Bernardo
Credentials: I'm an Aerospace Engineer AND Mathematician.
Solution: The airplane WILL take off.
Explanation: Thrust is provided by the jet engines. Thrust is needed to overcome Drag. Drag is made up of aerodynamic drag, and friction drag on the wheels. The friction drag on the wheels/bearings will be *marginally* higher on the spinning treadmill, but will continuously diminish as the airplane gains speed and the lift increases, thus reduction wheel friction.
Source of confusion: The problem statement is slightly confusing because it says something about the treadmill spinning at the same speed of the aircraft. This could induce some people to believe that the two velocities cancel each other out, whereas the truth is that the wheels will simply spin twice as fast (remember, the wheels of the aircraft are free spinning).
- B