Final answer:
Airbags are a supplemental restraint system that rapidly inflate with gas upon collision to reduce injuries to vehicle occupants, through chemical reactions like the decomposition of sodium azide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Airbags are a supplemental restraint system designed to work in conjunction with seat belts to minimize serious injuries to passengers in the event of a collision.
Typically found in most automobiles since the 1990s, airbags deploy rapidly upon impact, instantly inflating with gas to provide a cushion that absorbs the force exerted on occupants, reducing the risk of injury.
From a chemistry perspective, the quick inflation of airbags often involves an explosive chemical reaction, such as the decomposition of sodium azide (NaN3), which, when triggered by collision sensors, rapidly produces nitrogen gas to fill the airbag.
The presence of airbags in vehicles since they've been required in the United States since 1991, and commonplace in Europe and Asia since the mid-1990s, has been a significant factor in improving vehicle safety.