Brain Teaser

[Origami]

1/. yes the plane takes off....refer to the Theory of Realtivity.

2/. Mirrors are intelligent they just know !!

[David]

The mirror shows inverted left and right because of the eyes being on a horizontal plane. IT's about perception.

As for the plane myth, I beleive this was done on Mythbusters recently. Very hard to prove.

[Garth Kay]

After arguing with Darren for a few minutes on this I have to change my opinion.

In the theoretical sense I don't think thrust can be generated. I will have to do the math, but no negative air pressure can be created.

Sorry Darren you were right I was wrong.

[Garth Kay]

Just read everyones posts.
I had it slighly mixed up in my head.
A plane with propellers on the wings might be able to generate enough negative air pressure to generate the thrust required but then it comes down to the weight of the plane as well.

Jet fighters that use jets, or passenger planes that use turbines would find it difficult as well, jet fighters are effectively rockets with wings and it is the forward momentum generated by the jets that drives the airs over the wings, thus causing thrust.

[David]

Jet fighters that use jets, or passenger planes that use turbines would find it difficult as well, jet fighters are effectively rockets with wings and it is the forward momentum generated by the jets that drives the airs over the wings, thus causing thrust.

I Disagree.

If the drving force is the turbines, the wheels are irrelivent. If the driving force is the wheels, then yes, it would stand still.

A plane on NO treadmill would move forward, the wheels are merely allowing it to travel. A plane ona treadmill would be the same, except the wheels would be moving twice as fast.

Doesn't mean it would take off.. but eh!

[Garth Kay]

I didn't mention wheels Dave.
The propulsion are the jets, this drives the vehicle forward, thus creating thrust.

[Garth Kay]

and thurst is different to propulsion.

[Bob B]

If as you say the conveyor belt is equalizing any forward thrust or motion created by the airoplane be it jet or propeller driven then it will remain in the same position.

I actually tried a similar experiment the other daty at the airport on the travelator. I just tried it on my tread mill and guess what? I didn't go anywhere.

Except when I increased the speed I found I couldn't keep up and now I need to repair this massive hole in my computer room wall.

Now looking at my reflection in the mirrored robe. I touched my left ear with my right hand and the person in the mirror looking back at me was touching their right ear with their left hand.

No wonder our food bill is higher than normal and there's food missing during the night.

[Ondie J]

Hate to ruin a perfectly good discussion... but I've so got you all pictured in white togo's sitting on marble steps with beards and debating this one.

[Ondie J]

<Grows beard and puts on togo>

So anyway.... what if said aircraft builds up maximum speed and then, once attained, starts to 'slow down' at a rate comparable to what it would to take off normarlly whilst the conveyor belt remains at the previous maximum speed of the aircraft.

Would said aircraft then be able to take off backwards? No one said anything about actually flying.