Chapter 9, Problem 12PCE

Predict/Explain Two identical cars, each traveling at 16 m/s slam into a concrete wall and come to rest. In car A the air bag does not deploy and the driver hits the steering wheel; in car B the driver contacts the deployed air bag. (a) Is the impulse delivered by the steering wheel to driver A greater than, less than or equal to the impulse delivered by the air bag to driver B? (b) Choose the best explanation from among the following:

1. I.                    The larger force delivered by the steering wheel delivers a greater impulse.
2. II.                 The longer interaction time with the air bag delivers a greater impulse.
3. III.              The change in momentum of each driver is the same.