Car Safety

Question 1

Air bags:

Answer 1

Increase the time taken for the heads momentum to reach zero, and so reduce the forces on it. They also act a soft cushion and prevent cuts.

Question 2

Crumple zones:

Answer 2

Areas of a vehicle that are designed to crush in a controlled way in a collision. They increase the time taken to change the momentum of the driver and passengers in a crash, which reduces the force involved.

Question 3

Seat belts:

Answer 3

Designed to stretched a bit in a collision. This increases the time taken for the body’s momentum to reach zero, and so reduces the forces on it.