Chapter 7, Problem 6Q

To determine

To explain: The importance of air bag in car.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Impulse is the product of impact force and time required for it. As force is a vector quantity impulse is also a vector quantity.

When collision of a car takes place with an outside object, there is larger change in momentum. So impulse and the force acting on the occupants of car will be large. The large force will act on the driver within the short interval of time, which causes more damage to the driver. The force of impact is reduced by increasing the time of impact. The air bags increases the time for which force acts on the driver during collision. Also, it increases the time required to stop which reduces the change in momentum. So, a force acting on the occupants of car will be less. For example, if air bag will increase the stopping time by a factor of 10, then the average force exerted on the person will decrease by a factor of 10. This will help in reducing the chances of serious injury.

Conclusion:

Therefore, air bags increases the time of impact of collision which reduces the force causing damage to driver of car.