What happens to an object in freefall?

An object in freefall experiences acceleration due to the force of gravity acting upon it. This acceleration occurs at a constant rate, which is approximately 9.81 meters per second squared on Earth. As a result, the object's velocity increases continuously as it falls, reflecting a consistent change in speed as it descends through the air.

In the context of the other choices provided, the incorrect answers highlight misunderstandings about the motion of falling objects:

• Objects do not decelerate until they stop when in freefall; instead, they increase their velocity until they reach the ground or fall into a terminal velocity if air resistance becomes significant.

• Freefall does not involve maintaining a constant speed; an object will continually accelerate unless acted upon by another force.

• Movement sideways is not characteristic of freefall, as freefall specifically denotes motion directly towards the ground under the influence of gravity, neglecting any horizontal forces unless otherwise stated.

Overall, the phenomenon of freefall is defined by consistent acceleration downwards due to gravity, which is accurately represented by the initial response identifying acceleration at a constant rate as the correct outcome.