No, both wheels in a 2WD system with an open differential get power, not just one. Just the max that can be applied is equal to the least amount required to spin one wheel. So if one wheel spins (on ice for example), the other wheel only gets the same amount, which isn't enough to move the vehicle so it doesn't go anywhere. Same idea with 4WD on a per-axle basis if both front and rear have open differentials.
which is exactly what i mean....
