If an airplane is on a large conveyor belt and is trying to take off by exerting the thrust needed to move it forward at 100 knots, and the conveyor belt starts moving backwards at 100 knots, will the plane be able to take off, or will it just sit stationary relative to the ground, with the backwards speed of the conveyor belt counteracting the forward thrust of the plane?

There is debate. I don’t know what the answer is, but it’s kind of cool.

Tempus Fugit: Airplane on a Conveyor Belt

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