Question

in a car collision, the driver's body must change speed from a high value to zero. this is true whether or not an airbag is used, so why use an airbag? how does it reduce injuries

Answer 1

Airbags reduce injuries in car collisions by increasing the time over which the body must decelerate, thereby decreasing the force exerted on passengers. This lessens the chance of fractures and other injuries. The design principle at work is known as impulse, which combines force and time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of an airbag in a car collision is to reduce the injuries to the driver and passengers by increasing the time over which the change in momentum (or deceleration) occurs. The underlying principle here is impulse, which is the product of the average net force and the time over which the force acts. By increasing the collision time with the airbag, the average force that the occupants experience is significantly reduced, hence minimizing injuries.

Bones in a body can fracture if subjected to too large a force. Airbags combined with seatbelts distribute that force over a longer period of time, so the likelihood of such injuries is reduced. Along with crumple zones in car design, they serve to absorb the kinetic energy of the crash more effectively and increase the time of impact, further lowering the force exerted on the occupants.

From a practical standpoint, using seatbelts and airbags together can be considered a critical safety measure as it has been shown to save lives by moderating the forces experienced by vehicle occupants during a collision. This is why airbags have been a mandatory feature in passenger vehicles in many countries worldwide.

Answer 2

1. If I had my choice, I'd much rather crash into an airbag than a windshield.
2. When it inflates, it minimizes the distance you are going to travel. If a windshield is 2 feet away and you're heading right for it, an airbag would stop you before you hit the windshield by taking up the space between you and the (hopefully avoided) object.