What happens when sodium azide reacts with air?
The chemical at the heart of the air bag reaction is called sodium azide, or NaN3. CRASHES trip sensors in cars that send an electric signal to an ignitor. The heat generated causes sodium azide to decompose into sodium metal and nitrogen gas, which inflates the car’s air bags.
Is sodium azide still used in airbags?
Sodium azide is best known as the chemical found in automobile airbags. An electrical charge triggered by automobile impact causes sodium azide to explode and convert to nitrogen gas inside the airbag. Sodium azide is used as a chemical preservative in hospitals and laboratories.
What is the compound for NaN3?
NaN3Sodium azide / Formula
Is azido a carcinogen?
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OR REPEATED EXPOSURE: Sodium azide is not classifiable as a human carcinogen. It is unknown whether chronic or repeated exposure to sodium azide increases the risk of reproductive toxicity or developmental toxicity.
How much sodium azide is in an airbag?
The driver-side airbag can is about 1 and 1/2 inches long and holds about 50 grams of sodium azide. The passenger-side airbag can is about six inches long and holds about 200 grams to inflate a bag big enough to fill the front-seat passenger area.
What gas inflates an airbag?
nitrogen gas
The answer would be found in a fascinating chemical called sodium azide, NaN3. When this substance is ignited by a spark it releases nitrogen gas which can instantly inflate an airbag.
Is NaN3 a salt?
Sodium Azide, NaN3, mol wt 65.02, CAS Number 26628-22-8, is a colorless, odorless, crystalline solid (salt-like) or solution. Synonyms and Trade Names include Azide, Azium, and Sodium salt of hydrazoic acid. It is soluble in water or liquid ammonia, slightly soluble in alcohols, and insoluble in ether.
Is airbag gas toxic?
Sodium azide is an extremely toxic poison, capable of destroying entire ecosystems. An undeployed airbag contains between 50 grams for the driver side and 200 grams for the passenger side. After the airbag reacts, all of the sodium azide should be converted to harmless nitrogen gas.