In introductory physics, the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity near Earth’s surface is approximately which value?

• A. $0.98m/s^2$
• B. $98m/s^2$
• C. $9.8m/s^2$
• D. $9.8m/s$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the acceleration due to gravity near Earth's surface is a standard constant used in many physics problems involving free fall and projectile motion.
2. Recall that the commonly accepted value for this acceleration is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared, which is written as \$9.8\ \mathrm{m/s^{2}}$.
3. Note that values like 0.98 or 98 meters per second squared are incorrect because 0.98 is too small and 98 is too large compared to the standard gravitational acceleration.
4. Recognize that this value comes from experimental measurements and is used as a convenient approximation for calculations near Earth's surface.
5. Use \$9.8\ \mathrm{m/s^{2}}$ as the magnitude of acceleration due to gravity in physics problems unless otherwise specified.