When considering the acceleration of an object in free fall near Earth's surface, it's important to recall the influence of gravity. The standard acceleration due to gravity, often denoted by [tex]\( g \)[/tex], is a universally accepted value that has been experimentally determined.
To find the correct acceleration, let's go through a step-by-step analysis:
1. Understanding Free Fall: In free fall, the only force acting upon the object is gravity. This gravity-induced acceleration is constant near the surface of the Earth.
2. Gravitational Acceleration: On Earth's surface, the acceleration due to gravity is a well-known physical constant. This value is often used in physics equations and problems related to motion under gravity.
From these considerations, you can determine that the acceleration of an object in free fall near Earth's surface is [tex]\( 9.8 \, m/s^2 \)[/tex].
Thus, the correct answer is:
C. [tex]\( 9.8 \, m/s^2 \)[/tex]
