The correct answer is Sodium azide. • The driver-side airbag is a container containing about 50 grams of sodium azide. • The passenger side container holds about 200 grams of sodium azide. • Because vehicles change speed so quickly in an accident, airbags must inflate rapidly to reduce the risk of the occupant hitting the vehicle's interior. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • The propellant used in most airbags is a combination of sodium azide (NaN_(3)) and potassium nitrate (KNO_(3)). • When these two chemical compounds react, they burn rapidly and produce the nitrogen gas that fills the bag. Related Concepts: • Airbags are passive safety features designed to mitigate or prevent injuries among drivers and passengers in the event of a crash. • Airbags provide added protection to seatbelts. • For example, in higher-speed crashes, a seatbelt alone may not prevent a driver’s head from hitting the steering column. • The deployment of an airbag protects the head and upper body of the driver and reduces some of the force exerted on the driver by the seatbelt. • Airbags are useful whenever you experience a sudden reduction in speed. • Airbag systems are composed of three basic parts: the bag itself, the inflator unit, and the crash sensor. The bag and inflator are contained together in the airbag module. • Most often, the sensor is located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle and towards the front, so if a crash occurs it is quickly detected.