Quote:
in other words, if the backward speed of the conveyor belt is inversely proportionate to the forward thrust of the plane--I don't think the plane would take off.
The problem states that the conveyor would match the speed of the WHEELS, not the thrust of the plane. The wheels don't have to turn at all for the plane to move foward. The only reason wheels turn is due to friction, but once there is enough force the place is going to move foward no matter what is going on with the wheels. At this point the belt will be matching the speed of the wheels, but not the speed of the plane. The plane moves foward and it takes off.
_________________________
-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.