Final answer:
An airbag deploys at a high speed to reduce the force on vehicle occupants during a collision. This can cause serious injuries to a child who is too small to sit in the front seat.
Step-by-step explanation:
An airbag deploys at a high speed to reduce the force on vehicle occupants during a collision. This is achieved by extending the time over which the force is applied, resulting in a lower magnitude of force. In the case of a child, who is too small to sit in the front seat, the high speed deployment of the airbag can cause serious injuries.
This is because the force applied by the airbag, although intended to protect passengers, can be too much for a child's body to handle. The force of the airbag hitting the child's face or body can lead to fractures or other severe injuries. It is important for children to be seated in the appropriate car seat or booster seat in the backseat of a vehicle to minimize the risks associated with airbag deployment.