What is the average value of gravity on Earth?

The average value of gravity on Earth, often simplified for various calculations, is 9.8 m/s². This figure reflects the acceleration that an object experiences due to Earth's gravitational pull. When an object is in free fall (ignoring air resistance), it accelerates towards the Earth at this rate.

Although 9.81 m/s² is a more precise measurement that scientists commonly use, the value of 9.8 m/s² is widely accepted for ease of calculation in many educational contexts. It falls within a significant rounding of the actual acceleration due to gravity, which varies slightly depending on altitude and geographic location but is generally approximated as 9.8 m/s² for most purposes in physics.

The alternative expression, 9.8 N/kg, is indeed the same as 9.8 m/s², as Newtons per kilogram represents the same acceleration due to gravity but does not fit the context of the question asking for acceleration. The choice of 10 m/s², while simple, is a rough approximation that does not convey the actual average gravitational force accurately.