Answer:
If the air track had a slight angle such that the air cart was traveling slightly uphill as it moved to the second sensor, the results of solving for the resistance force would change in the following ways:
* The calculated value of the resistance force would be **higher** than the true value.
* The cart would have less kinetic energy at the second sensor than it would if the track were level, because some of its energy would be lost to overcoming the force of gravity.
The equation that justifies this answer is:
F_R = m * (v1^2 - v2^2) / (2 * d) + m * g * sin(theta)
where:
* F_R is the resistance force
* m is the mass of the cart
* v1 is the velocity of the cart at the first sensor
* v2 is the velocity of the cart at the second sensor
* d is the distance between the two sensors
* g is the acceleration due to gravity
* theta is the angle of the incline
The term `m * g * sin(theta)` represents the force of gravity acting on the cart. If the angle of the incline is greater than zero, then this term will be positive and will increase the calculated value of the resistance force.
In other words, the air cart has to do more work to travel the same distance uphill than it would on a level track. This is because the force of gravity is acting against the cart, slowing it down. As a result, the cart has less kinetic energy at the second sensor, and the calculated value of the resistance force is higher.