Question

when an apple falls from a tree, and strikes the ground without bouncing, what happens to its momentum?

Answer 1

The earth moves under your feet (but just a little).

Answer 2

But that doesn't make sense because an apple can't make the earth move, even a little.

Answer 3

mapple Vapple +mweath*0
= (mapple+mearth) V

V =
Vapple (mapple)/(mapple+mearth)

so yes

mapple/(mapple+mearth)

is not very big
it might be kind of hard to measure :)

Answer 4

oh! ok thanks