Here's why:
* Acceleration due to gravity: The Earth's gravitational pull causes objects to accelerate downwards at a rate of approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²). This means that for every second an object falls, its downward velocity increases by 9.8 m/s.
* Distance: Since the object starts from rest, its initial velocity is 0 m/s. Using the equation for distance traveled under constant acceleration (d = v₀t + ½at²), we can calculate the distance:
* d = (0 m/s)(1 s) + ½(9.8 m/s²)(1 s)²
* d = 4.9 meters
Important Note: This calculation assumes no air resistance. In reality, air resistance will slow the object down, making the actual distance fallen slightly less than 4.9 meters.
