How Airbags Protect Drivers
In this task, you’ll learn how airbags operate. You’ll also learn about the chemical reaction used to inflate airbags.

Part A
Conduct Internet research to learn how airbags work in automobiles. Take notes on your research. Then write one to two paragraphs explaining what causes airbags to inflate when a car is involved in an accident.

Font Sizes

Characters used: 0 / 15000
Part B
Sodium azide (NaN3) is a substance that can be used to inflate airbags. An electrical impulse causes the sodium azide to decompose, producing elemental sodium and nitrogen gas. Write the balanced chemical equation for this reaction.

Font Sizes

Characters used: 0 / 15000
Part C
Now run this simulation that demonstrates the properties of gases. The simulation shows a container with a lid on top. The lid can be opened and closed by dragging it left and right. On the left side of the container is a yellow handle. Drag this handle right or left to decrease or increase the volume of the container. On the top right of the container are a thermometer and a pressure gauge. Follow these steps to use the simulation, and then answer the question that follows.

1. Reduce the container to its least volume by dragging the yellow handle as far right as you can.
2. In the Gas in Chamber menu, add 80 molecules of heavy species to the container.
3. In the Constant Parameter menu, select Pressure.
4. Increase the number of heavy species molecules to 200.

What do you observe when the molecules are increased from 80 to 200 at constant pressure?

Font Sizes

Characters used: 0 / 15000
Part D
Go back to the simulation and increase the number of molecules of heavy species to 700. What change do you observe?

Font Sizes

Characters used: 0 / 15000
Part E
Based on your observations, relate the container from the simulation to a car airbag. What would happen to an inflatable airbag if air molecules were to be continuously added to it, similar to the container in the simulation?

Font Sizes

Characters used: 0 / 15000