That is the horizontal calculation [sans wr]. Like said above, at that speed, the curvature of the earth recedes under you at the same rate that gravity pulls you down to earth [that's why R-radius is integral to the equation].

Heh...

What about this one:

Oops, when the poster mentioned that Nasa had calculated it from the equator, and then i saw the angled diagram, I assumed it was being shot upwards. should've read more carefully.


I was actually envisioning a scenario where it broke out of the atmosphere and orbited there, but in this scenario it would orbit at the same height you shot it at. I wonder how long you'd have to move out of the way(upon thought, plenty).

In other news, the Earth is mostly round.

Well seeing as how the thrust comes from the jets, not the wheels.

If the treadmill moves at the exact opposite velocity of the wheels, how does the plane ever move?

The wheels would spin at twice the rate of it's forward motion.

The treadmill would still be spinning at the same speed as the wheels, making the speed of the plane zero.

i think the answer you're looking for is no, because there isn't any air going over the wings

Are we seriously doing the plane on a treadmill thing? Only the trolls and complete idiots still think it won't fly.

You don't gain momentum in a jet by pushing the pavement below you backward, you push the atmosphere behind you backwards.

Unless that treadmill can manipulate the atmosphere, it's irrelevant.

The answer is actually that it's an impossible scenario, but I believe that if it were possible, the plane would not take off.

explain to me how it will get off the ground if it can't accelerate in relation to the air

The treadmill is not irrelevant. If the speed between the base of the treadmill and the ground is zero, the speed between the wheel hubs and plane is zero, and the speed of the treadmill is equal to the negative speed of the wheels, the speed of the plane must be equal to the speed of the ground.

Fill a bottle with water. Put a card on the top as a cover. Hold onto the card while turning the bottle of water upside down. Let go of the card. The water will not pour out of the bottle, the card will hold it all in! I learned that from watching Mr. Wizard!!!!!!!