Question

Why are objects that fall near Earth’s surface rarely in free fall?

Answer 1

Objects that fall near the Earth's surface are rarely in free fall because the gravity of the Earth is affecting them too much.
Free fall is what most people would call "floating," as an object in free fall has gravity acting upon it enough to hold it in a general distance, but not enough to pull it closer. For example, the moon is in free fall, as the gravity of Earth keeps it close, but isn't strong enough to bring it much closer from where it's at.

Answer 2

The correct answer is because of gravity and air resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When we speak of free fall, we are referring to something that falls "into the void", and which has no force to oppose such a fall.

Due to the gravity and atmosphere of our planet, this situation is not possible. When an object falls close to our surface, it is very difficult to do it in free fall. Gravity is going to pull this object down, which along with air resistance, will cause the object to fall at a constant speed.