Airbags: Unusual Facts, Stories & Physics Ideas

[ishotbambi]

HELP! Airbags and physics

Homework Statement

I've got to do a presentation on airbags for physics, however, there are other grouos also doing this and I want to make mine stand out. Any unusual facts/stories/physics would be appreciated, as would any ideas for simple demonstrations or models I could use.
(please help me! My physics teacher will rip me to bits if I cut and paste it all off wikipedia!)
Sorry if this is on the wrong part of the site, but I got confused.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[jbsteele]

A unique fact about airbags is that they are triggered by a chemical reaction, rather than an electronic sensor. This is done by using a small explosive charge that ignites sodium azide, which quickly decomposes into nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas inflates the bag within milliseconds of a collision. You can create a simple demonstration by using a balloon filled with air, and then dropping it onto a flat surface. This demonstration would show how, without an airbag, the force of the impact would be distributed throughout the body. You could also use this demonstration to show how airbags absorb the force of impact, since the balloon will not burst when dropped on a flat surface, due to the airbag absorbing the force of the impact. You could also use a model car to demonstrate how airbags work. Create a model car out of cardboard, and attach a balloon inside the car. When the car collides with a wall, the airbag should inflate, just like in a real car. This will illustrate how the airbag absorbs the force of the impact, and prevents the passengers from being injured. Another interesting physics concept related to airbags is the conservation of momentum. In a collision, the momentum of the car is transferred to the occupants. Airbags help to reduce this transfer of momentum, as they absorb some of the force of the impact. By reducing the force of impact, airbags help to conserve the momentum of the car, which helps to reduce the risk of injury.

 

[tomcue]

I can understand your concern about making your presentation on airbags stand out among other groups. Here are some interesting facts and ideas that you can use to make your presentation unique and engaging:

1. Did you know that the first airbag was invented in 1951 by American inventor John W. Hetrick? It was a very basic design that used compressed air to inflate a rubber bag in the event of a crash.

2. Airbags work on the principle of conservation of momentum. When a car suddenly stops, the occupants continue to move forward due to their inertia. The airbag inflates quickly to provide a cushion and reduce the force of impact.

3. Airbags use a pyrotechnic device to inflate the bag. This device contains a small amount of explosive material that is ignited by an electrical charge, causing a rapid release of gas to inflate the bag.

4. The timing of airbag deployment is crucial. If it deploys too early, it can cause injury to the driver or passenger. If it deploys too late, it may not be able to provide enough protection. This is why airbags are equipped with sensors that can detect the severity of a crash and deploy the airbag accordingly.

5. Airbags are not just limited to cars. They are also used in other vehicles such as airplanes, boats, and even motorcycles.

6. You can demonstrate the concept of momentum and conservation of momentum using a simple experiment with two balls. Drop one ball onto a flat surface and observe how it bounces back. Then, drop two balls at the same time and observe how the second ball doesn't bounce as high because it has transferred some of its momentum to the first ball. This is similar to how airbags work in a car crash.

7. You can also create a simple model of an airbag using a plastic bag, a straw, and some tape. Place the straw inside the bag and tape it to the bottom. Blow into the straw to inflate the bag and observe how it expands to create a cushion.

I hope these ideas and facts help you in creating a unique and informative presentation on airbags. Remember to always cite your sources and avoid plagiarism. Good luck!