Question

1.How would an unleveled air track impact our conservation of energy and momentum measurements? Does the impact depend on "which way" the track is not level?

2. Suppose that the track is bowed; that is to say, the middle of the track is lower than either end. What effects would this have on conservation of momentum in each part(the ends of the track)? Conservation of energy? (Referring to air track)

Answer 1

An unlevelled air track does not impact the conservation of energy as long as friction is absent. But unlevelled air track does have effect on conservation of momentum, momentum will no longer be conserved because momentum conservation is applicable only when net external force on the system is zero. When the track is unlevelled an external force acts of the system due to gravity this makes conservation of momentum non applicable.

The way in which the track is not levelled does not have any special effect on the conservation of energy and momentum. The energy would remain conserved and momentum would remain unconserved.