Which statement about gas production in airbags is correct?

Which statement about gas production in airbags is correct?

• A. Oxygen is produced.
• B. Nitrogen is produced.
• C. Argon is produced.
• D. Hydrogen is produced.

Answer: (B)

Gas generation in airbags is designed to inflate the bag very quickly by creating mainly nitrogen gas. The primary propellant reaction releases nitrogen as the major gas product, which rapidly fills the cushion. Nitrogen is ideal here because it is inert and non-flammable, reducing fire and ignition risks, and it provides rapid, safe inflation. Other gases like oxygen, argon, or hydrogen would introduce unnecessary risks or hazards—oxygen could support any ignition, hydrogen is flammable, and argon offers no real advantage for this purpose. While there can be various solid byproducts from the reaction, the gas that does the inflating is predominantly nitrogen.

Gas generation in airbags is designed to inflate the bag very quickly by creating mainly nitrogen gas. The primary propellant reaction releases nitrogen as the major gas product, which rapidly fills the cushion. Nitrogen is ideal here because it is inert and non-flammable, reducing fire and ignition risks, and it provides rapid, safe inflation. Other gases like oxygen, argon, or hydrogen would introduce unnecessary risks or hazards—oxygen could support any ignition, hydrogen is flammable, and argon offers no real advantage for this purpose. While there can be various solid byproducts from the reaction, the gas that does the inflating is predominantly nitrogen.