On Sep 9, 5:34*pm, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:
charles wrote:
In article , The Natural Philosopher
wrote:
charles wrote:
In article , Dave Plowman (News)
* wrote:
In article , The Natural Philosopher
* wrote:
It's the major factor. In still water a single person can move a
ship weighing many tons. You'll not do that with a similar weight
vehicle.

Due to the tyre rolling resistance.
I can in fact push a van weighing several toinnes on well pumped up
tyres on a dead smooth flat road.
I'm talking about a small ship like say a trawler where I've seen it
done.
I'll bet you'll not move a truck weighing anywhere near as much.
You only need to look at how much load a single horse could pull on a
canal barge.

Indeed, but it does NOT support his thesis that its 'friction'

but if it wasn't for friction, the wheels would simply spin on the ground.

that's not what slows you down. Friction between surfaces that are not
moving relative to one another wastes no power.

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Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
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If no power was wasted, there would be no friction.
Hysteresis is what wastes power in tyres. (ie flexing them).
The higher the tyre pressure the less flex and less energy lost.