Question

In looking for a chemical to replace sodium azide in airbags, suppose that a cheap, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly chemical was found that decomposed more slowly, producing nitrogen over a period of several seconds. Would this chemical be a good replacement for sodium azide in airbags? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

The chemical would not be a replacement for sodium azide

Step-by-step explanation:

Sodium azide, NaN₃, in air bags in cars decomposes when caused to explode by an electrical charge that is triggered during a collision according to the following chemical reaction

2 NaN₃ (s) → 2 Na (l) + 3 N₂ (g)

The time it takes the air bag to fill with NaN₃ = 0.030 seconds

The rate of decomposition of the chemical found to replace sodium azide = Slowly

The chemical will not be a good replacement for sodium azide due to the time sensitive nature of the filling of the sir bag so as to save lives

There will not be enough time for the airbag to fill and cushion the effect of the impact of a collision on the passengers of a vehicle when the new chemical is used as a serious collision takes place in a fraction of a second