Final answer:
A meteor entering Earth's atmosphere accelerates due to the constant force of gravity, with varying effects based on its size and velocity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a meteor falls towards Earth and is initially at rest at an altitude of 2.5 × 107 m, it is influenced by the force of gravity, causing it to accelerate as it descends. The acceleration due to gravity, g, is constant and averages 9.80 m/s² on Earth. However, the specific conditions of entry, such as angle and starting speed, and the effects of the Earth's atmosphere can alter its motion. For smaller objects, like those the size of a golf ball or bowling ball, friction with the Earth's atmosphere can result in them burning up before hitting the ground, thus becoming fireballs or even producing meteorites if they survive the entry.
Additionally, the gravitational pull and the resultant velocity of a meteor before hitting Earth's atmosphere can be significantly higher, depending on its initial distance and velocity, as well as Earth's gravitational influence.
Understanding the physics of falling objects, including meteors, is key to predicting their behavior as they interact with Earth's atmosphere. This involves concepts such as acceleration, initial velocity, gravitational force, and the potential for surviving atmospheric entry.