Not to mention faster compliance to the undulating road surface, resulting in greater tire adhesion (traction).
Tires not in contact with the road cannot steer, brake, or accelerate.
Absolutely... There are certainly more physic factors than I mentioned other than boosted acceleration and braking performance using the Rim/Tire to Vehicle Un-sprung Weight Analogy. It's been postured that for every single pound of "Unsprung Weight" is like adding 10lbs of "Sprung Weight" in regards to account for rotational mass both starting and stopping.
It's like wearing 2lb ankle weights going for a run as opposed to going running with just your Nike's and socks. One can tell a difference immediately between the two experiences!
Not to think of other important aspects of equation such as tread contact reaction (that you mention) as well. Sometimes you can get free HP and TQ so to speak (by reducing rim/wheel weight), without spending major cash on re-gearing differentials (to account for bigger tires/rims) and having to up-size the caliper's with bigger/extra pistons, brakes, and greater rotor surface size area's to account for the extra-Force needed in order to run & stop bigger/heavier rims, wheels, and tires.
I've been into building and running Jeeps for almost 20 years (long before they come from factory like they do now) and the Tire/Wheel combo and their up-page that robs performance in acceleration and stopping and how to counteract such, (When Unmodified or Upgraded.)
The same applies to all rotating wheels, and surfaces such as Revolvers. I Love Revolvers and this site has allowed me to get exactly what I want and need and how to upgrade as follows from the knowledgeable guys here! Principals of Physics are Equal across the board whether talking about Revolver Cylinders and Vehicle Rims... Their weights, displacements, materials used, recessed cuts, etc...
-Hams
