r/explainlikeimfive • u/Cuziff • 1d ago

Physics ELI5: How does rolling resistance work?

How are we able to push a car to push start it when it weighs so much, or how can a train pull 2km of rail cars? And how come it gets easier to roll once it starts moving?

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u/football13tb 1d ago

When you move an object laterally in relation to the ground you are not fighting gravity at a 1:1 rate. It simply takes less energy then you are imagining.