You can harmlessly spread a lot of energy difference over a large enough time, or a large enough surface. The most relevant concepts are probably impulse [1] a

You can harmlessly spread a lot of energy difference over a large enough time, or a large enough surface. The most relevant concepts are probably impulse [1] and inelastic collision [2]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_(physics) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_(physics) [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_collision https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_collision