Final answer:
The correct answer is option B. The safest steering method with an airbag-equipped vehicle is to place hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, as this reduces the risk of injury from the airbag deployment and allows for better vehicle control.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of steering a vehicle equipped with airbags, the method that provides the least chance of injury in a crash is B) placing your hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. This positioning is most likely to prevent your arms from being forcefully thrown towards your face or chest in the event of the airbag deploying. Additionally, it offers better control over the wheel without interfering with the airbag's deployment.
The concept of impulse in physics explains how extending the time over which a force is applied can result in a smaller force. Thus, in a vehicle collision, crumple zones, seat belts, and airbags work together to increase collision time, reducing the forces experienced by the occupants (force over time relationship). For example, crumple zones in cars that deform during a crash effectively extend the time of impact, thus lowering the force on the passengers and increasing their chances of survival.
If someone were thrown to the side when taking a curve in a car, it would be due to the force exerted by the car seat against them, which would be a result of the car's momentum around the curve. Proper steering and vehicle safety features like airbags and seat belts are critical to minimize the risk of injury during sudden stops or collisions.