CAR AIR BAGS
Do you know how it really works?
What type of equation causes air bags to inflate?
- Chemical Reactions to Generate the Gas to Fill an Airbag
- Decomposition of Sodium Azide (NaN3)
- Reactions to Remove Harmful Products
- Reaction Stoichiometry
The first component of the airbag system is a sensor that can detect head-on collisions and immediately trigger the airbag's deployment. One of the simplest designs employed for the crash sensor is a steel ball that slides inside a smooth bore. Once the electrical circuit has been turned on by the sensor, a pellet of sodium azide (NaN3) is ignited. A rapid reaction occurs, generating nitrogen gas (N2). This gas fills a nylon or polyamide bag at a velocity of 150 to 250 miles per hour. This process, from the initial impact of the crash to full inflation of the airbags, takes only about 40 milliseconds.
What is the compound that creates the chemical reaction & what are the substances produced during the chemical reaction?
Gas molecules are constantly moving:
Where does the energy source come from that starts the reaction?
What are some statistics on how air bags are beneficial?
-Virtually all new cars have air bags and they're saving lives. The fatality-reducing effectiveness for airbags is 14 percent when no seatbelt is used and 11 percent when a seatbelt is used in conjunction with airbags. Side airbags, which protect the head, chest and abdomen, reduce driver deaths by an estimated 37 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.