But the hand is moving 2mph slower than the wind, while the laminar flow boundary layer is moving 3mph slower than the wind.
No, the difference in velocity between the boundary layer and the wind is fixed. It does not change with the velocity of the observer. The motion of the observer is
common to both flows. A flow parallel to that, but 'followed' by an observe not in that wind itself, would register the same result. Maybe you think I can't do arithmetic Brian_M, but I do understand the principle of superposition.
The colored smoke test says that no matter how you would express it on the treadmill, that condition cannot happen in real wind. Relative velocities are irrelevant if one stream does not exist.
No it can't. Real wind can't move an object unless the force applied by the wind is strong enough to overcome the objects friction with the road.
I submit the balloon or kite for your consideration. The retarding friction of the road is a
result of the applied force. If the applied force is great enough to
overcome the static force; a reaction of the
motionless wheels, the object will move forward. At this point, the friction falls sharply, becoming that of the rolling friction. This distinction is what allows locomotives to pull much more than their weight. Early locomotive engineers did not know this, relying only on their intuitions about friction, leading them to use unnecessary geared tracks, and even mechanical feet.
The object "feels" easier to push once moving, but not because less force is required per se, but that the conditions changed during that process.
Unless you mean that in a real wind, an object with little or no friction to the ground will be accelerated until it's velocity approaches windspeed?
No, I mean that friction to the road is not
necessary for the wind to move an object, whereas on the treadmill, it is. That is clearly a difference.
Yes, I do. A car parked on a moving belt is exactly the same as a car parked on the road in the wind.
But you agree that the only apparent difference, is that on one case the wheels spin, and in another they do not?
How many times did we explain this to you in the old thread? I even made up a couple of animated carts, and provided mathamatical explainations, as did others.
The maths is too elementary to be considered useful, and the logic behind its application is flawed.
The road cannot drive the propeller in the way you describe, Brian_M. That is, the cart cannot benefit by using the difference between the prop and the ground or whatever. The prop, cart and wheels are one object, coupled to the road.
Unless the wheels spin excessively and lose traction, the cart can be considered part of the road's surface. The wind blows over this surface, and that is the only differential velocity available.
Consider Micheal_C's first video. When the 'top' ruler is moved, the paper beneath the wheels is also moved. Note that what you are seeing is the differential motion of the left and right hands, but they are common to the ground through Mr_C's body.
There is no equivalent on the cart, but there is on Ynot's turntable, because of the tether. These mistakes are fundamental, yet repeated.