This means that for every second an object falls, its downward velocity increases by 9.81 meters per second.
It's important to note that this value is an approximation, and the actual acceleration can vary slightly depending on factors such as:
* Altitude: Gravity decreases slightly as you move further away from the Earth's surface.
* Latitude: The Earth is not perfectly spherical, so the acceleration due to gravity is slightly different at different latitudes.
* Local density variations: The Earth's crust is not uniformly dense, which can also cause small variations in gravity.
However, for most practical purposes, 9.81 m/s² is a good enough approximation for the acceleration due to gravity near the Earth's surface.