Why Does a Heavy Backpack Make Hikers Lean Forward?

[king_2005]

1. why does a hiker have to lean slightly forward when her backpack is heavy?
2. why is it that car tires moving at 30 m/s experience four times greater forces than when moving at 15 m/s or half the speed?

 

[phillip256]

To compensate for the shift in her center of gravity.
So she doesn't fall

 

[dpsguy]

Since the backpack is heavy and is carried on the shoulders the centre of mass of the "body+backpack"system is raised. As a higher CM means greater instability,hence the hiker bens forward to lower her own CM so that the CM of the system remains at its original level.
The centripetal force on the centre of wheel = mv^/r if we consider rotation about point of contact.

 

[alias25]

wel i heard the less time an object takes in an impact the greater the force it will experience, something to do with Newtons second law F = (mu-mv)/t ie change in momentum per second. the faster its going the greater the objects momentum if it collides and comes to rest the resultant force acting upon it is greater than that of a slower object. (completely ignore what I am saying if it makes no sense I am only in year 12)

 

[Erik_at_DTU]

Think acceleration

This is answer is concerning your second question:

The velocity in itself produces no force, but the acceleration does (Newtons second law). Therefore you just have to compare the acceleration you need to reach 15 m/s with the acceleration you need to reach 30 m/s (in equal amont of time/distance).

That's why your brake length quadrats when your speed double.

 

[dpsguy]

The velocity in itself produces no force, but the acceleration does (Newtons second law).
The velocity does cause a force-drag force-which is proportional to the velocity or its square(usually).Hence the total force on the wheel would actually be greater than 4 times if the wheel is traveling in a medium like air.