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Thread ID: 129839 2013-03-16 02:37:00 Variation of "Jet on a treadmill" issue, will the wheels turn? The Error Guy (14052) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1332915 2013-03-16 02:37:00 Now most people know the physics question of "jet on a a treadmill" where one has a jet on a treadmill which exactly matches the wheel speed etc etc. It goes on, I'm sure you all know. If you don't just google it.

Now one question I always think of is, will the wheels on the jet actually turn? If the treadmill EXACTLY matches the wheel speed at all times will the wheels ever start moving? My initial instinct is to say no because for the wheels to turn in the first place, one thing has to be moving faster than the other to start with.

What are your thoughts on this? I do have a feeling they can start turning but I still kinda think that shey shouldn't.
The Error Guy (14052)
1332916 2013-03-16 02:39:00 Read the question yet? R2x1 (4628)
1332917 2013-03-16 02:51:00 Define precisely in mathematical terms what you mean by wheel speed. Terry Porritt (14)
1332918 2013-03-16 02:55:00 I think I have made a fool of myself with this question haven't I :p The Error Guy (14052)
1332919 2013-03-16 03:04:00 Pretty much error guy, but you're not the first or the last plod (107)
1332920 2013-03-16 03:17:00 It is standard procedure for this test :) (We take turns.) R2x1 (4628)
1332921 2013-03-16 03:45:00 It won't be the first time or last time for me either :D The Error Guy (14052)
1332922 2013-03-18 01:43:00 If the treadmill matches the velocity of the plane the wheels will not turn BBCmicro (15761)
1332923 2013-03-18 02:07:00 Of course the wheels will still turn to enable the plane to stay still on the treadmill, if they didn't turn the plane would get carried in the direction the treadmill is going gary67 (56)
1332924 2013-03-18 02:42:00 In the experiment, you start with a jet on a treadmill. Very shortly after that you just have a treadmill. And yes, the wheels were probably spinning pretty fast as the jet took off (at the rotational equivalent of the ground speed of the jet + the treadmill speed if I'm not mistaken). pablo d (15490)
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