The speed or velocity of an object during free fall depends on various factors, such as the gravitational acceleration and the time elapsed since the object started falling. In a vacuum near the surface of the Earth, where the effects of air resistance are negligible, all objects experience the same constant acceleration due to gravity. This acceleration is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s^2) and is denoted by the symbol "g."
During free fall, an object will continuously increase its velocity due to the acceleration of gravity until it reaches its terminal velocity (if air resistance is a factor) or until it hits the ground. However, if we consider the ideal scenario of negligible air resistance, the speed of an object in free fall can be calculated using the formula:
Speed = g × time
In this formula, "g" represents the acceleration due to gravity, and "time" refers to the elapsed time since the object started falling.
It's important to note that the velocity increases linearly with time during free fall in the absence of air resistance. For example, after 1 second of free fall, the object's velocity would be approximately 9.8 m/s. After 2 seconds, it would be approximately 19.6 m/s, and so on.