Eli5: How do the tiny wheels of airplanes carry it?

Question

They seem to be so small and unstable, thinking about the weight of the airplane, especially filled with passangers and luggage. How do they carry the weight, as well as being able to accelerate and break and everything?

In: 1057

Answer 1

1. They are only small relative to the size of the plane, a plane is lighter than it looks.
2. They are not normal wheels, they are specially engineered for planes.
3. They aren’t powered, the plane engines provide the movement for the plane, even on the ground.
4. Most of the breaking of the plane is done by special flaps in the wings called landing flaps, some planes also have engines that can reverse their thrust to help with braking.