Acceleration of gravity

Acceleration - the time rate of change in the velocity of an object. When an object is under the influence of a gravitational field and free to move within that field, it is said to be accelerated by the gravitational field.

The acceration due to gravity is roughly constant. On earth, it is approximately 32.2 ft/sec² or 9.81 m/sec² (where it varies slightly depending on the local density of the earth's crust). The acceleration of gravity is important in wave dynamics, classical mechanics, and insane kayaking (i.e. hair-boating).

For example, if a hair-boater were to seal launch off a large bridge, she would experience considerable acceleration due to Gravity. Her velocity would start at zero and rapidly increase by 32ft/sec for each second she falls. If the bridge were high enough, she would reach a point where the force due to wind resistance would balance the force due to gravity. At that point (the so called terminal velocity) her speed of descent would no longer change until contact with the water's surface.