Comments on: Plane on a Conveyor Belt Interview Question http://elliottback.com/wp/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/ Internet & Technology Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Geoff http://elliottback.com/wp/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1664367 Geoff Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:54:26 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2008/02/09/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1664367 This "myth" was tried in the UK, but it flopped. Everyone knew the real answer immediately. It was a little like trying to con everyone that the world was flat. It's just a bit of fun, like that Santa Claus physics essay - I can't believe a TV programme was made about it! Just another endorsement that Americans are stupid I suppose. This “myth” was tried in the UK, but it flopped. Everyone knew the real answer immediately. It was a little like trying to con everyone that the world was flat.

It’s just a bit of fun, like that Santa Claus physics essay – I can’t believe a TV programme was made about it! Just another endorsement that Americans are stupid I suppose.

]]> By: James T. Lee http://elliottback.com/wp/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1495620 James T. Lee Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:59:49 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2008/02/09/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1495620 I like what Stephen just wrote. I also think a key point was made by Elliott Back who opines that the conveyor belt imparts no retardung force on the plane--actually maybe a wee bit of force but almost none--and thus the operation of the belt will not prevent liftoff. One thing is certain: it is important that the riddle be correctly stated: The experiment does NOT involve an apparatus that keeps the ground speed of the plane at zero. The experiment involves an apparatus that matches belt speed to wheel speed. As I am sure everyone here knows, this subject has about 40 entries on the Discovery Channel Mythbusters wiki. Lots of confusing comments all around in that mix. Some funny, some sad. This is an interesting problem for students in physics to contemplate. Reminds me of the Monte Hall Problem in some ways.... I like what Stephen just wrote. I also think a key point was made by Elliott Back who opines that the conveyor belt imparts no retardung force on the plane–actually maybe a wee bit of force but almost none–and thus the operation of the belt will not prevent liftoff. One thing is certain: it is important that the riddle be correctly stated: The experiment does NOT involve an apparatus that keeps the ground speed of the plane at zero. The experiment involves an apparatus that matches belt speed to wheel speed.

As I am sure everyone here knows, this subject has about 40 entries on the Discovery Channel Mythbusters wiki. Lots of confusing comments all around in that mix. Some funny, some sad.

This is an interesting problem for students in physics to contemplate.

Reminds me of the Monte Hall Problem in some ways….

]]> By: Stephen http://elliottback.com/wp/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1472549 Stephen Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:37:09 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2008/02/09/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1472549 How do planes go from take off speed to cruising speed? After lift off they are not in contact with the runway. The answer to that is also how they go from standing still to take off speed. And it is independant of the runway. Therefore the runway only holds the plane up till it takes off and the conveyor makes no difference. How do planes go from take off speed to cruising speed?
After lift off they are not in contact with the runway.

The answer to that is also how they go from standing still to take off speed.
And it is independant of the runway.
Therefore the runway only holds the plane up till it takes off and the conveyor makes no difference.

]]> By: Elliott Back http://elliottback.com/wp/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1314690 Elliott Back Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:48:42 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2008/02/09/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1314690 It lifts off; here's a hint--the conveyor belt, no matter how fast it moves, imparts no "backwards" force on the plane. Why? Because it just makes the wheels spins backwards really fast... It lifts off; here’s a hint–the conveyor belt, no matter how fast it moves, imparts no “backwards” force on the plane. Why? Because it just makes the wheels spins backwards really fast…

]]> By: Jesus Mohammad http://elliottback.com/wp/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1309143 Jesus Mohammad Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:04:18 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2008/02/09/plane-on-a-conveyor-belt-interview-question/#comment-1309143 Sweet jesus, is science education that bad in the US? Of course the plane doesn't life off. Sweet jesus, is science education that bad in the US? Of course the plane doesn’t life off.

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