This is often rounded to 10 m/s² for simplicity in calculations.
Here's what this means:
* Acceleration: This refers to the rate at which an object's velocity changes. In this case, gravity causes objects to accelerate downwards.
* 9.81 m/s²: This means that every second, the downward velocity of a falling object increases by 9.81 meters per second.
Important Note: This value is an approximation. The actual acceleration due to gravity varies slightly depending on factors like:
* Altitude: Gravity weakens slightly as you move further from the Earth's surface.
* Latitude: The Earth is not perfectly spherical, so gravity is slightly stronger at the poles than at the equator.
* Local geological formations: The density of the Earth's crust can also affect gravity.
