The acceleration of free fall, also known as the acceleration due to gravity, is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (9.8 m/s²) downwards. This means that for every second an object is in free fall, its velocity increases by 9.8 m/s.
Key Points:
Free Fall:
Free fall occurs when an object falls under the sole influence of gravity, with no other forces like air resistance acting on it.
Acceleration:
The acceleration of free fall is constant and is denoted by the symbol “g”.
Magnitude:
The value of “g” is approximately 9.8 m/s².
Direction:
The acceleration is always directed downwards, towards the center of the Earth.
Independent of Mass:
In a vacuum (where there’s no air resistance), all objects, regardless of their mass, will experience the same acceleration due to gravity.
Variations:
The value of “g” can vary slightly depending on altitude, latitude, and longitude, but the 9.8 m/s² value is a good approximation for most situations.