Final answer:
Bumpers, airbags, and crumple zones in cars are designed to decrease the force exerted on the car and its occupants during a collision by increasing the time over which the collision occurs. Impulse, which is the change in momentum of an object, explains this concept. Bumpers absorb energy, airbags increase stopping time, and crumple zones deform to protect the occupants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bumper, airbags, and crumple zones in cars are designed to increase the time over which a collision occurs, thereby reducing the force exerted on the car and its occupants. The principle behind this is impulse. Impulse is defined as the change in momentum of an object, where momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity. By increasing the time of collision, the change in momentum is spread out over a longer period, resulting in a smaller force.
For example, when a car with bumpers collides with another car, the bumpers compress and absorb some of the energy of the collision, increasing the time taken for the cars to come to a stop. Similarly, airbags inflate rapidly during a collision, increasing the stopping time for the occupants and reducing the force on them. Crumple zones, which are areas designed to deform easily in a collision, also help to increase the collision time and absorb energy, protecting the occupants.
Learn more about Impulse and the use of bumper, airbags, and crumple zones in cars