The acceleration of freefall due to gravity, also known as the acceleration due to gravity, is approximately 9.81 meters per second squared (m/s²) near the Earth's surface. This means that for every second an object is falling, its velocity increases by 9.81 meters per second.

Here's a breakdown of why this happens:

* Gravity: The Earth exerts a force of gravity on all objects near its surface. This force pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.

* Acceleration: This force of gravity causes objects to accelerate, meaning their velocity increases over time.

* Constant Acceleration: The acceleration due to gravity is considered constant near the Earth's surface, meaning it doesn't change significantly regardless of the object's mass or velocity.

Important Notes:

* The value of 9.81 m/s² is an approximation. The actual value can vary slightly depending on factors like altitude, latitude, and the local density of the Earth.

* In physics problems, the acceleration due to gravity is often represented by the letter 'g'.

* The acceleration due to gravity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (9.81 m/s²) and direction (towards the center of the Earth).

Let me know if you have any more questions about the acceleration due to gravity!