In your own words, explain the role of inertia in causing serious injuries in a car accident. How do seat belts help prevent these injuries?

Inertia is a property of matter that causes an object to resist changes in its state of motion. In the context of a car accident, inertia means that if a car suddenly stops or changes direction due to a collision, the passengers inside will continue moving at the same speed and in the same direction as the car was moving before the impact. This can result in passengers being thrown forward, backward, or sideways, potentially causing serious injuries as they collide with the interior of the car or other passengers.

Seat belts play a crucial role in preventing these injuries by restraining the passengers and keeping them securely in their seats. When a car stops suddenly, the seat belt applies a force that counteracts the passenger's inertia, slowing them down more gradually and reducing the risk of collision with the car's interior. This helps to distribute the forces of the impact over stronger parts of the body, such as the chest and pelvis, and minimizes the likelihood of severe injuries.