When a car collides with an object, the driver's airbag inflates from the steering wheel very quickly and reduces the impact of the collision for the driver.

Question

How does the airbag help minimize the effect of force on a driver involved in a collision?

A. The airbag extends the collision time.

B. The airbag allows for less momentum change during the collision.

C. The airbag shortens the impact time by getting closer to the driver.

D. The airbag provides a soft surface for the head to rest right before a collision happens.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. The airbag extends the collision time.

When the airbag inflates, it increases the time over which the driver's body comes to a stop during a collision. This extension of the collision time reduces the force experienced by the driver, according to the impulse-momentum theorem, which states that the force applied over time results in a change in momentum. By extending the time of the collision, the force felt by the driver is minimized, making the impact less severe.