Final answer:
The sensation of being thrown forward when a car stops suddenly is due to the sudden decrease in velocity and the inertia of the passenger, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a car stops suddenly, you feel like you're thrown forward due to the sudden decrease in velocity and the inertia of the passenger. This occurs because, according to Newton's first law of motion, an object in motion tends to stay in motion at the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. In this case, the unbalanced force is the car stopping rapidly. Your body wants to continue moving forward at the same speed due to inertia. So, the correct answer to why you feel like you're thrown forward when a car stops suddenly is c) As a result of the sudden decrease in velocity and inertia of the passenger.
While airbags and seat belts (as mentioned in Figure 8.2) are safety features designed to help manage the forces experienced by passengers during a sudden stop, they do not directly cause the sensation of being thrown forward. Their function is to extend the time over which the stop occurs, reducing the force of impact and helping to prevent injury.