Final answer:
Airbags can cause abrasions, burns, or exposure to chemicals, but they are effective in saving lives by utilizing the physics of impulse to reduce the forces experienced during a collision.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although airbags save lives, they can also cause potential harm if deployed under certain conditions or if passengers are not properly seated and wearing seat belts.
When airbags deploy upon impact to minimize serious injuries to passengers, the rapid inflation and the force of the airbag itself can cause abrasions or burns, especially when occupants are too close to the airbag or not in the correct seating position.
Moreover, the chemicals used in the deployment process, such as the decomposition of sodium azide to produce nitrogen gas, can present health risks if inhaled directly.
The effectiveness of airbags as a safety feature in automobiles is based on the physics concept of impulse. This concept explains how extending the time over which a force acts during a sudden stop reduces the force experienced by occupants. Padded dashboards and plastic components that allow vehicles to crumple also contribute to increased safety by extending collision time and thus reducing forces.