What happens when an airbag deploys in a vehicle?

When an airbag deploys in a vehicle, it is designed to automatically inflate in response to a frontal crash. This is a critical safety feature that works through various sensors that detect the severity of a collision. In the event of a significant impact from the front, these sensors trigger the airbag's deployment, allowing it to inflate rapidly to provide cushioning, helping to protect the occupants from injury during the crash. This rapid inflation occurs within milliseconds to ensure that the airbag is fully expanded by the time the occupants are thrown forward against it.

The airbag deployment is specifically intended to activate in situations where there is a considerable danger to the occupants, primarily during frontal impacts. This is why the airbag system is calibrated to detect certain collision dynamics and only deploy when necessary, ensuring that it provides maximum protection without unnecessary deployment in less severe situations.