Why are heavy shopping carts much harder to turn than they are to push forward?
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Reason 1: Work
The amount of energy needed to move the cart (‘work’) is greater for its rotational movement (torque) than it is for its linear movement on wheels (basically a frictionless surface).
Reason 2: Human Body
In pushing the cart forward, you’re utilizing your legs, butt, triceps, and self-weight to transfer energy. To rotate the cart, you’re basically just using the small muscles in your wrists when grabbing the cart handle.
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