Wild Insides
#5How things work
Why Shopping Carts Lock Up At The Parking Lot Edge
Some shopping carts have a hidden brake in one wheel.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
airbag · how airbags work · steering wheel · car safety · crash test dummy · how things work
The real science
Every airbag has a small pyrotechnic charge inside it. Watch what happens inside the steering wheel in the few hundredths of a second after a crash, from the sensor signal to the burning pellet, the powder cloud and the vents that let your head sink in. Because airbags open with so much force, kids twelve and under should ride in the back seat.
Don’t try anything shown in this video.
Follow the facts
- NHTSA: Vehicle Air Bags and Injury Prevention
- IIHS: Airbags Overview
- CHOP: Car Seat Safety: Air bags
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Curious about something in “The Tiny Explosion Hidden In Your Steering Wheel”? Our AI-powered helper answers using only this page’s write-up and sources.
AI answers can be wrong; check the sources. Not medical advice.
Our illustrations simplify anatomy and scale. Educational content only; not medical advice.
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#3How things work
Why A Snapped Elevator Cable Won't Drop You
Almost everyone has wondered what happens if an elevator's cable snaps.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
#2How things work
How Pill Bottle Caps Outsmart Most Toddlers
Child-resistant medicine caps hide a two-part lock that only opens when you push down and turn at the same time.
Short. Strange. True.The real science