Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Regorium · 01-29-2008, 09:56 AM

What if I had an infinitely fast conveyor belt? Using the rope on a treadmill analogy, if the wheels on my rollerblades were completely ideal, it would be pretty easy for me to pull myself forward no matter how fast the belt was moving.

But, if there is any semblance of friction, there will reach a point where the treadmill is going so fast, and I cannot pull myself forward anymore due to the backwards motion. ie. if I had an infinitely fast treadmill that can counteract the thrust of the plane, keeping it stationary, would it still fly? <--- in my opinion, that is what the myth is really asking.

I must be missing something.

01-29-2008, 09:56 AM	#111
Regorium First Line Centre Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Calgary Exp:	What if I had an infinitely fast conveyor belt? Using the rope on a treadmill analogy, if the wheels on my rollerblades were completely ideal, it would be pretty easy for me to pull myself forward no matter how fast the belt was moving. But, if there is any semblance of friction, there will reach a point where the treadmill is going so fast, and I cannot pull myself forward anymore due to the backwards motion. ie. if I had an infinitely fast treadmill that can counteract the thrust of the plane, keeping it stationary, would it still fly? <--- in my opinion, that is what the myth is really asking. I must be missing something. Last edited by Regorium; 01-29-2008 at 10:04 AM.