Answer: The acceleration of free fall near the surface of the Earth is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²).

The acceleration of free fall, denoted as g, is the acceleration an object experiences when falling freely under the influence of gravity. Near the surface of the Earth, this acceleration is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²). This value is often represented as g ≈ 9.8 m/s² and is commonly used in physics calculations.

The acceleration of free fall is a constant for all objects near the Earth’s surface, regardless of their masses (as long as air resistance is negligible). It means that, in the absence of other forces, objects will accelerate at 9.8 m/s² downward when dropped.

This value is derived from Newton’s law of universal gravitation and is a crucial parameter in physics, particularly in the study of motion and mechanics. It’s essential for understanding the behavior of falling objects, projectile motion, and gravitational interactions on Earth. The acceleration of free fall is used in various equations and experiments to analyze and predict the motion of objects influenced by gravity.