In an automobile collision, how does an airbag lessen the blow to the passenger? Assume as a result of the collision, the passenger stops. a. The air bag decreases the momentum change of the passenger in the collision. b.

During the collision, the force from the air bag isgreater than would be the force from the wind-shield or dashboard so the passenger cannot hit the hard objects. c. The stopping impulse is the same for either the hard objects or the airbag. Unlike the windshieldor dashboard, the air bag gives some increasing the time for the slowing process and thus de-creasing the average force on the passenger. d. The airbag is there to insure the seatbelt holds

c. The stopping impulse is the same for either the hard objects or the airbag. Unlike the windshield or dashboard, the air bag gives some increasing the time for the slowing process and thus decreasing the average force on the passenger

Explanation:

As soon as the vehicle collides the air bags open up almost instantly within a fraction of seconds. The air bag reduces the force of impact by providing the longer time for the change in momentum in accordance with the Newton's second law and distributes the force over a larger area of impact therefore reducing the pressure. The impulse in each case remains the same because when the air bags are engaged in the process the force is lesser but the time involved is more and we know that impulse is the product of force and time.