Opposition and energy raising

[Emerald]

I'm having trouble even finding words for this, so I hope I make sense. In terms of magic:

How does pushing against something raise energy?

How does two opposing forces pushing against each other raise energy?

[Breeze]

I'm having trouble even finding words for this, so I hope I make sense. In terms of magic:

How does pushing against something raise energy?

How does two opposing forces pushing against each other raise energy?

 
The best way that I can think to describe it is to liken it to two tectonic plates colliding against each other.  The pressure (energy) keeps colliding and building until finally it is relieved or released.

[Faemon]

I'm having trouble even finding words for this, so I hope I make sense. In terms of magic:

How does pushing against something raise energy?

How does two opposing forces pushing against each other raise energy?

If whatever you were pushing was going in that direction anyway, then there would be no focus or expression required from the pusher. So, two not-opposing forces would, relative to one another, be static.

Take a Newton's Cradle, for example.

(And then throw it away because magic probably isn't anything like physical energy, at least that's the personal gnosis I've been developing lately :whis:)

[Scales]

I'm having trouble even finding words for this, so I hope I make sense. In terms of magic:

How does pushing against something raise energy?

How does two opposing forces pushing against each other raise energy?

 
I have three things I'd consider if I were you, non-magical ones
Static electricity, in general
Heat by friction
Newton's third law- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The first two are physical things you can consider to help visualize it. The third is a lot more kinetic and thus more physical, but interesting to think on. If you're pushing with a certain amount of force*, against a solid wall, in a way, that wall is pushing back with equal force.
*not as in F=ma, I know a=0 in this situation- it was just the phrase that seemed to work best. Perhaps 'power' would be better, especially once we take this to a less physical level.

The tectonic plates example is really good too.

As triple entendre said, magic isn't (always) like physical energy, but hopefully those will help you understand it better.