| Hmm, this might be a good way to look at it (or it could be wildly inaccurate!). 1) Assume for the sake of argument that your friction through the air is the same as your friction of sliding on the ground (this isn't very accurate, and is variable, but shouldn't invalidate the basic thought experiment). 2) instead of the two mediums being air and land, consider them to be two parallel conveyer belts, going in opposite directions (i.e. moving relative to each other). 3) Your vehicle is straddling the two conveyer belts, a set of wheels on each belt. 4) Couple the set of wheels on one belt with the set of wheels on the other belt, along with a transmission to engage/disengage the wheels from each other. 5) Lock the wheels on one belt. This is effectively "going the same speed as the wind". 6) The wheels on the other belt will be spinning furiously. Engage the gears appropriately so that you make headway on the belt that you're relatively stationary on. You're now going 'faster than the wind'! Ok, it was easier to understand in my head :) |