A student's life was saved in an automobile 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 much smaller force over a longer period of time, which reduces the rate of change of momentum and impulse. This allows for a longer duration of deceleration, which results in a smaller force acting on the head and reduces the risk of injury or death. Therefore, the airbag exerts a much smaller force than the windshield.

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