Question

how do airbags keep drivers and passengers safe in a collision? *
airbags increase the force of the impact.
airbags spread the impact over a larger area..
airbags increase the momentum of the driver and passengers.
all of the above.
in many contact sports, players are required to wear helmets. using the information from the reading passage, how do helmets act similar to airbags?
helmets lower the amount of force felt by the player in a collision
helmets decreases the amount of time that the player experiences forces in a collision
helmets decreases the area on the players head where forces are applied in a collision
helmets prevent collisions entirely

Explanation:

• For the first question: According to the principle of force and area (pressure formula \(P=\frac{F}{A}\), when \(F\) is the impact force, \(A\) is the area. Airbags spread the impact over a larger area. Increasing the impact force (\(F\)) would be dangerous. Momentum \(p = mv\) is related to the mass and velocity of the object, airbags don't increase the momentum of the driver and passengers.
• For the second question: Helmets, like airbags, work based on the principle of reducing the force felt. Using the formula \(P=\frac{F}{A}\), by increasing the area (in the case of helmets, it's designed to spread the force over a larger area on the head compared to no - helmet situation), the pressure (force per unit area) is reduced. Decreasing the time of force application is not the main similarity. Decreasing the area would increase pressure. Helmets cannot prevent collisions entirely.

Answer:

• First question: Airbags spread the impact over a larger area.
• Second question: Helmets lower the amount of force felt by the player in a collision.