is momentum destroyed when a falling objects strikes the earth?

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is momentum destroyed when a falling objects strikes the earth?

2007-02-20 14:43:56 · 3 answers · asked by jin 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics

3 answers

Momentum is conserved, not destroyed. The velocity of the Earth is changed by an amount equal to the momentum of the object divided by the combined mass of object plus Earth. Since the mass of the Earth is about 6x10^24 kg, the velocity change turns out to be *very very* small.

2007-02-20 15:33:14 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Since momentum is the motion of an object it does get destroyed (stopped) when an object falls to earth. LAWRENCE B is correct however that no energy is destroyed.

2007-02-20 23:00:59 · answer #2 · answered by Twizard113 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋

no the energy is just tranferred. as energy can noy be constructe or destroyed only tranferred

2007-02-20 22:50:34 · answer #3 · answered by LAWRENCE B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋