A student's life was saved in an automoblie accident because an airbag expanded in front of his head. If the car had not been equipped with an airbag, the windshield would have stopped the motion of his head in a much shorter time. Compared to the windshield, the airbag:
A) causes a much smaller change in momentum
B) exerts a much smaller impulse
C) causes a much smaller change in kinetic energy
D) exerts a much smaller force
E) does much more work

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The airbag exerts a smaller force over a longer period of time, resulting in a smaller impulse and a slower change in momentum. This helps to reduce the risk of injury compared to the sudden and rapid deceleration that would occur if the head impacted the windshield directly.

A Student's Life Was Saved in an Automoblie Accident Because