Mythbusters to take on "the plane and the treadmill" conundrum?

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Jan 31, 2002
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Originally posted by: smack Down
clap, clap, clap.

Now do all that in reverse and you can see the treadmill acts on the plane.

Jack up your car, take the brakes off, and spin a non-braked tire.

- M4H
 

randay

Lifer
May 30, 2006
11,018
216
106
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: smack Down
clap, clap, clap.

Now do all that in reverse and you can see the treadmill acts on the plane.

Jack up your car, take the brakes off, and spin a non-braked tire.

- M4H

the car takes off. /thread
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: LukeMan
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: LukeMan
aren't we suppose to neglect friction? If there is 0 Friction, then it doesn't matter what speed the treadmill is moving. Hell, with 0 Friction you could turn the plane engines off and set the treadmill to 100mph and the plane would move as fast as the treadmill. You need Friction for the wheels to have any affect on the plane. With 0 Friction, the Air is the only Force acting against you, which is easily overcome.

Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

how would the treadmill have any affect on the plane if the frictionless wheels/axles have no affect on the plane? You understand what grease and lube are used for right? -to decrease the amount of friction on the axle. With 0 Friction there is nothing pulling the plane in the same direction as the treadmill. Air would hold the plane in place, since it's the only force present.

To rotate a wheel one must apply energy. This energy does not come from friction but from torque.

Absolutely wrong.

Friction tangent to the surface of the wheel and not directed toward the axis of rotation, is what induces torque in the first place.

An engine provides torque to an axle to rely on the friction of the wheel and its resistance to sliding against the pavement to push against the axle horizontally and move the car.

Notice when you apply torque to the axle, the surface of the wheels tries to rotate away from the direction of travel. The frictional force at the bottom of the wheels is in the direction of travel, and that is what moves a car.

The opposite is also true. By applying tangent friction to the surface of the wheel (simply by being in contact with the ground) and pushing on the axle, you create a torque in the axle.

Friction between the wheel and the ground is the same for both a car and a plane. In a car you apply torque in the axle to generate forward motion. In a plane you apply forward motion to the axle to create torque. Both the foward motion in the car, and the torque in the axles of the plane are cause by the tangent friction force where the wheel contacts the ground.

Simple wheel physics understood by mankind for over 10,000 years...
 

smack Down

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
4,507
0
0
Originally posted by: exdeath
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: LukeMan
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: LukeMan
aren't we suppose to neglect friction? If there is 0 Friction, then it doesn't matter what speed the treadmill is moving. Hell, with 0 Friction you could turn the plane engines off and set the treadmill to 100mph and the plane would move as fast as the treadmill. You need Friction for the wheels to have any affect on the plane. With 0 Friction, the Air is the only Force acting against you, which is easily overcome.

Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

how would the treadmill have any affect on the plane if the frictionless wheels/axles have no affect on the plane? You understand what grease and lube are used for right? -to decrease the amount of friction on the axle. With 0 Friction there is nothing pulling the plane in the same direction as the treadmill. Air would hold the plane in place, since it's the only force present.

To rotate a wheel one must apply energy. This energy does not come from friction but from torque.

Absolutely wrong.

Friction tangent to the surface of the wheel and not directed toward the axis of rotation, is what induces torque in the first place.

An engine provides torque to an axle to rely on the friction of the wheel and its resistance to sliding against the pavement to push against the axle horizontally and move the car.

Notice when you apply torque to the axle, the surface of the wheels tries to rotate away from the direction of travel. The frictional force at the bottom of the wheels is in the direction of travel, and that is what moves a car.

The opposite is also true. By applying tangent friction to the surface of the wheel (simply by being in contact with the ground) and pushing on the axle, you create a torque in the axle.

Simple wheel physics understood by mankind for over 10,000 years...

Smart guy we are talking about the friction between the axle and the wheel not the axle and the ground.

But what you posted does show that the wheel acts on the plane and therefor the plane can't take off.
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: exdeath
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: LukeMan
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: LukeMan
aren't we suppose to neglect friction? If there is 0 Friction, then it doesn't matter what speed the treadmill is moving. Hell, with 0 Friction you could turn the plane engines off and set the treadmill to 100mph and the plane would move as fast as the treadmill. You need Friction for the wheels to have any affect on the plane. With 0 Friction, the Air is the only Force acting against you, which is easily overcome.

Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

how would the treadmill have any affect on the plane if the frictionless wheels/axles have no affect on the plane? You understand what grease and lube are used for right? -to decrease the amount of friction on the axle. With 0 Friction there is nothing pulling the plane in the same direction as the treadmill. Air would hold the plane in place, since it's the only force present.

To rotate a wheel one must apply energy. This energy does not come from friction but from torque.

Absolutely wrong.

Friction tangent to the surface of the wheel and not directed toward the axis of rotation, is what induces torque in the first place.

An engine provides torque to an axle to rely on the friction of the wheel and its resistance to sliding against the pavement to push against the axle horizontally and move the car.

Notice when you apply torque to the axle, the surface of the wheels tries to rotate away from the direction of travel. The frictional force at the bottom of the wheels is in the direction of travel, and that is what moves a car.

The opposite is also true. By applying tangent friction to the surface of the wheel (simply by being in contact with the ground) and pushing on the axle, you create a torque in the axle.

Simple wheel physics understood by mankind for over 10,000 years...

Smart guy we are talking about the friction between the axle and the wheel not the axle and the ground.

But what you posted does show that the wheel acts on the plane and therefor the plane can't take off.

How does the wheel act on the plane? In a car, the wheels rotate and push the car. In a plane, the plane pushes itself and the wheels rotate.

There is rolling resistance indeed, but nothing compared to the engine power or the rolling resistance the plane normally has to deal with. I see you never replied to my post addressing the magnitude of rolling friction and why it is negligible in this case (skateboard + treadmill + scale + pulley and weights)

The engines are rigidly coupled to the plane body. The treadmill is loosely coupled to the plane via free spinning bearings in the wheels. Most of the effort of the treadmill is wasted in adding rotational kinetic energy to the wheels, energy that does not translate to any linear forces on the plane with the exception of a very small resistance in the bearings.

To put this concept of coupling into perspective, place a object in a swimming pool. Have one person push the object in one direction by directly touching and pushing the object. You on the other hand have to counter their pushing efforts only by means of pushing against the water. You are not allowed to touch the object directly.

Will the water you push against the object have some effect? Sure it will. Will the person pushing the object care? Probably not.
 

WolverineGator

Golden Member
Mar 20, 2001
1,011
0
76
Think of it another way using the Space Shuttle as an example. Imagine the shuttle on the launch pad (=), with wheels down :)), and the vertical structure of the launch pad (||) turned into a conveyor belt with wheels :)) touching the conveyor belt (||):

||
||:*
||==

The premise is the conveyor belt turns as fast as the wheels. Now think what happens when you light up those engines. You introduce a force that causes wheels to turn as the shuttle :)*) moves forward. The conveyor (||) moves to keep up with the wheels, but it is no use. The thrust of the engines will move the craft no matter what's going on with the wheels :)).
 

WolverineGator

Golden Member
Mar 20, 2001
1,011
0
76
Also, the Bernoulli principle is incorrect in explaining how airplanes fly. The Bernoulli principle does help a little, but it's actually the Coanda effect that causes a plane to fly. Basically the wing "throws down" so much air as to equal the weight of the aircraft and hold it up in the air.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
I already said it elseware but I know how much people love me, so I'll say it here too:

Chuck Norris grabs hold of it with his bare hands while running on the conveyor belt and throws the plane into flight.
 

smack Down

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
4,507
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Originally posted by: WolverineGator
Think of it another way using the Space Shuttle as an example. Imagine the shuttle on the launch pad (=), with wheels down :)), and the vertical structure of the launch pad (||) turned into a conveyor belt with wheels :)) touching the conveyor belt (||):

||
||:*
||==

The premise is the conveyor belt turns as fast as the wheels. Now think what happens when you light up those engines. You introduce a force that causes wheels to turn as the shuttle :)*) moves forward. The conveyor (||) moves to keep up with the wheels, but it is no use. The thrust of the engines will move the craft no matter what's going on with the wheels :)).

You can't just claim the thrust of the engines is so great it will take off.

You need to show that the force from the treadmill is not proportional to the speed of the treadmill or one of its derivatives. Anything else is just BS.
 

Cerpin Taxt

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
11,940
542
126
Originally posted by: smack Down

Smart guy we are talking about the friction between the axle and the wheel not the axle and the ground.

But what you posted does show that the wheel acts on the plane and therefor the plane can't take off.

troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll troll
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Originally posted by: WolverineGator
Also, the Bernoulli principle is incorrect in explaining how airplanes fly. The Bernoulli principle does help a little, but it's actually the Coanda effect that causes a plane to fly. Basically the wing "throws down" so much air as to equal the weight of the aircraft and hold it up in the air.

Yup. Bernoulli alone isn't enough, as then stunt planes with symetrical wings surfaces couldn't fly, but they do.

<3 fluid dynamics
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
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Originally posted by: shortylickens
I already said it elseware but I know how much people love me, so I'll say it here too:

Chuck Norris grabs hold of it with his bare hands while running on the conveyor belt and throws the plane into flight.

Then he roundhouse kicks the treadmill?

- M4H
 

BrownTown

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
5,314
1
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A hudred people have already shown that, and you still don't beleive them, so what's the point of making it 101?

The speed of the two are the same, the WORK done by the 2 is FAR from equal since the thrust of the engines is acting on the whole plane and the friction from the treadmill is acting only on the wheels (ideally), or only slightly on the body (real world). Nobody here is gonna go into more depth with you becasue its not worth an hour of our time to prove it yet again only to have you still sit there with your finger in your ears screming out "hear no evil - see no evil - speak no evil".
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
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Originally posted by: smack Down
You need to show that the force from the treadmill is not proportional to the speed of the treadmill or one of its derivatives. Anything else is just BS.

If a car is in neutral, and I rev the engine, does it move?

- M4H
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,572
126
Originally posted by: smack Down
Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

no, it won't. with zero friction the plane will have no force transmitted to it from the treadmill whatsoever.
 

AbsolutDealage

Platinum Member
Dec 20, 2002
2,675
0
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: smack Down
Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

no, it won't. with zero friction the plane will have no force transmitted to it from the treadmill whatsoever.

But let's not forget the gravitational attraction of the plane to the treadmill.... I mean... that must be HUGE! The plane will never be able to overcome that... ;)
 

smack Down

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
4,507
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: smack Down
Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

no, it won't. with zero friction the plane will have no force transmitted to it from the treadmill whatsoever.

Wrong. You can't increase the rotation of a wheel with out applying a force.
 

Ramma2

Platinum Member
Jul 29, 2002
2,710
1
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Ok, so judging by yet another 10+ page thread about the damn plane, it is pretty clear that the Mythbusters should probably just test the damn thing and end it.

END IT ONCE AND FOR ALL

END IT!
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: shortylickens
I already said it elseware but I know how much people love me, so I'll say it here too:

Chuck Norris grabs hold of it with his bare hands while running on the conveyor belt and throws the plane into flight.

part right. he throws the whole damn thing into space. the plane and conveyor belt together!
 

AbsolutDealage

Platinum Member
Dec 20, 2002
2,675
0
0
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: smack Down
Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

no, it won't. with zero friction the plane will have no force transmitted to it from the treadmill whatsoever.

Wrong. You can't increase the rotation of a wheel with out applying a force.

Nope. You should have failed Physics I in highschool if you really think this, smack Down.

In a frictionless bearing, there will be no force transmitted from the treadmill to the body of the aircraft. None. Zip. Nada.
 

smack Down

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
4,507
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Originally posted by: Ramma2
Ok, so judging by yet another 10+ page thread about the damn plane, it is pretty clear that the Mythbusters should probably just test the damn thing and end it.

END IT ONCE AND FOR ALL

END IT!

They would screw it up. They would create a test with a plane with really small wheels and the treadmill wouldn't be able to change speed enough to slow down the plane.

The experiment should be done on a plane that has very little thrust and is 90% wheels.
 

smack Down

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
4,507
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Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage
Originally posted by: smack Down
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: smack Down
Even with zero friction between the wheel and axle the treadmill will still act on the plane.

no, it won't. with zero friction the plane will have no force transmitted to it from the treadmill whatsoever.

Wrong. You can't increase the rotation of a wheel with out applying a force.

Nope. You should have failed Physics I in highschool if you really think this, smack Down.

In a frictionless bearing, there will be no force transmitted from the treadmill to the body of the aircraft. None. Zip. Nada.

Ok lets go over this again.

If we remove the plane and just leave the wheels do you agree that they will not rotate?
Now if we put the plane back on the treadmill do you agree that the wheels will rotate?
What acted on the wheels to make them rotate in the second case. ANSWER: the mother F@$% plane. And if you see newtons 3 third law the wheel must act on the plane.
 

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,881
549
126
Originally posted by: Ramma2
Ok, so judging by yet another 10+ page thread about the damn plane, it is pretty clear that the Mythbusters should probably just test the damn thing and end it.

END IT ONCE AND FOR ALL

END IT!

Ill stick my neck out here and be bold.

I predict that the MythBusters will conclude that indeed the plane will fly.

Anybody that says otherwise is just being unreasonable.