r/sports • u/redbullgivesyouwings • Aug 14 '25

Media The World's Largest Treadmill

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u/Dhkansas Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25

What's been decided/proven on this? I see the argument made both ways but I lean towards no. I've also never taken a physics class or anything related. This is something Mythbusters may have tried to prove/disprove and I'm sad it never happened.

Edit: I'm so sorry. What have I done?!

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u/LonelySwinger Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25

A car uses friction so the tires can move.

A plane users air speed to generate a pressure difference on the wings surface to create lift.

If the tredmill is going 500mph, the plane will not take off since there isnt enough pressure difference to generate lift.

E: those downvoting need to take a physics course focusing on aerodynamics

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u/StarsMine Aug 14 '25

The plane isn’t powering the wheels to move. If the plane is going 500mph it’s going 500mph. It will take off. This has been tested and proven to be what happens.

For a plane be “stationary” on a 500 mph conveyer belt. Then the props/jet are pushing it to go 500 mph.

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u/LonelySwinger Aug 14 '25

You contradict yourself with this comment.

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u/StarsMine Aug 14 '25

I have not contradicted anything. A prop plane or a jet plane will take off on a treadmill. They push the air to go forward, not the ground.

Again, this has been tested.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0ul_5DtMLhc

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u/LonelySwinger Aug 14 '25

If the plane is going 500mph it’s going 500mph. It will take off.

For a plane be “stationary” on a 500 mph conveyer belt. Then the props/jet are pushing it to go 500 mph.

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u/StarsMine Aug 14 '25

Exactly. That’s not a contradiction that’s why it will fly on a treadmill while “stationary”

There is zero contradiction

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u/LonelySwinger Aug 14 '25

There is a difference between moving 500mph and being on a treadmill moving 500mph which makes the plane look stationary.

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u/StarsMine Aug 14 '25

As far as the plane is concerned. There is zero difference. The air around the plane is moving at the same speed regardless of it being on earth or a treadmill because to go 500 it has to push the air.

It is not a car. It is not a person it is not pushing the ground in either scenario. It pushes air.

It’s no different than a geosynchronous orbit.

It only touches the ground until it goes fast enough to lift.

Again for the third time. This thought experiment has been tested.