Mythbusters plan to uncover plane on conveyor belt

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simplified
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1:04p, 12/17/07
AG
Here's a video preview of the airplane on conveyor episode set to air January 30.

http://dsc.discovery.com/video/?playerId=203711706&categoryId=210013704&lineupId=229524134&titleId=1344511100
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ThunderCougarFalconBird
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1:08p, 12/17/07
AG
i bet the plane just flips off of the tarp and a wing breaks off.
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CDUB98
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1:15p, 12/17/07
AG
I hope that pilot never flies a commercial plane as he does not understand how they work.

[This message has been edited by CDUB98 (edited 12/17/2007 1:15p).]
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spazbq02
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1:16p, 12/17/07
Wow! This thread has potential.

Also, what keeps a kite aloft?
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Reloadags1998
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1:19p, 12/17/07
AG
Oh gawd
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IIIHorn
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1:20p, 12/17/07
Has this issue been resolved yet?
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simplified
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1:22p, 12/17/07
AG
absolutely not
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Tree Hugger
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1:23p, 12/17/07
AG
Will this one take off?


http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-billsplane&prov=ap&type=lgns

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gambochaman
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1:26p, 12/17/07
Commander Bob
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1:27p, 12/17/07
AG
browns
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IIIHorn
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1:30p, 12/17/07
The conveyor is moot!
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Ag2005
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1:48p, 12/17/07
AG
Yeah, that episode will not answer any questions. It's an entertaining show, but they always screw **** up.
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fahraint
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1:51p, 12/17/07
The episode should convey the answer
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Reloadags1998
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2:17p, 12/17/07
AG
Don't make me belt you for making such a lame pun
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Brock Samson
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2:18p, 12/17/07
Liars, it wont be on.
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YellowPot_97
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2:25p, 12/17/07
AG
that pilot is an idiot. glad I'll never be on his plane.
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fahraint
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2:29p, 12/17/07
quote:
Don't make me belt you for making such a lampoon


fify!
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AginTX
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3:26p, 12/17/07
Actually, none of you explained this as clearly as you could have.

The question is ill-formed since it doesn't tell you what the "speeds" are relative to. So the answer is really kind of just a wordplay if you will - not a physics issue.

Define speed of the belt and the plane relative only to the ground. Belt goes backwards at 1 mph - simultaneously, the plane goes whatever speed it needs to relative to the belt in order to go 1 mph relative to the ground. It actually will be going 2 mph relative to the belt.

So, belt is going 1 mph aft relative to the ground and airplane is going 1 mph forward relative to the ground.

The plane's wheel speed will have to be twice their normal speed in order to take-off since at Vr = 160 kts (relative to the ground), belt will be going backwards at 160 kts and wheels will be going 320 kts.

The trick on this problem is to ask clearly, when it is first stated, what the speeds of each item are relative to. As originally formulted, it is an ill-formed question. If speed of plane and belt are relative to each other, the question is nonsensical.

in
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fahraint
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4:13p, 12/17/07
If the question was not conveyed properly, a different means of conveyance might be in order....

[This message has been edited by fahraint (edited 12/17/2007 4:13p).]
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Goose
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4:18p, 12/17/07
AG
The only speed that dictates whether or not an airplane takes off is airspeed.

As proof, I've seen with my own two eyes a J-3 Cub actually fly backwards due to a severe headwind. Airspeed is all that matters.
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IIIHorn
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4:28p, 12/17/07
quote:


The conveyor is moot.




[This message has been edited by IIIHorn (edited 12/17/2007 4:34p).]
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IIIHorn
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4:28p, 12/17/07
quote:
If speed of plane and belt are relative to each other, the question is nonsensical.


The relative speeds of the plane and belt will affect wheel rotation only.

Nothing else.

Therefore ...

The conveyor is moot.
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Goose
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4:31p, 12/17/07
AG
Did you just quote yourself in the second half of your dp?

nice.
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IIIHorn
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4:33p, 12/17/07
Yep Goose ...
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fahraint
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4:33p, 12/17/07
If it was a boatplane, then lots of grease on the belly oughta do it....
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DMB Aggie
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4:34p, 12/17/07
So, does the plane takeoff or what??????
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IIIHorn
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4:34p, 12/17/07
While I'm quoting ...

quote:
This message has been edited by IIIHorn (edited 12/17/2007 4:34p).]
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ham98
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4:56p, 12/17/07
Plane takes off
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Goose
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4:57p, 12/17/07
AG
No, it doesn't.
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Caliber
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5:00p, 12/17/07
AG
I would never fly with that moron.
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ham98
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5:02p, 12/17/07
does too!
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Goose
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5:23p, 12/17/07
AG
o.k.

it does.
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IIIHorn
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5:29p, 12/17/07
"I know you are but what am I?"



[This message has been edited by IIIHorn (edited 12/17/2007 5:35p).]
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Ag with kids
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5:36p, 12/17/07
AG
quote:
The glider will, by definition, be traveling forward at exactly the same speed, except opposite direction, relative to the belt. it will never fly, unless the little bit of air being convected by the belt is sufficient for the glider to move up an inch or two - but it will promptly fall right back down once it hits air that is stationary relative to it.


Your statement formulation does not say that the airplane would be moving relative to the conveyor belt.

And our staff engineer says it WILL fly, so there!!!

But, then HE obviously doesn't understand that the wheels are the only thing that give propulsion to all airplanes...
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ham98
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5:37p, 12/17/07
I come to TexAgs for the high level of discourse. Especially the general board
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