Final answer:
An object with a mass of 30 kg in free fall on Earth has an acceleration due to gravity of 9.81 m/s² and experiences a gravitational force of 294.3 Newtons (30 kg × 9.81 m/s²).
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing an object in free fall without air resistance, the acceleration and force of gravity are key concepts. For an object with a mass of 30 kg that is freely falling, (a) the acceleration due to gravity is 9.81 m/s² on Earth. This is a standard value for the acceleration of objects in free fall. (b) To find the force of gravity acting on the object, also known as the object's weight, you use the formula Force = mass × acceleration (Newton's second law of motion). Therefore, the force of gravity on a 30 kg object would be 30 kg × 9.81 m/s², yielding a force of 294.3 Newtons. This calculation assumes that the only force acting on the object is gravity, as air resistance is ignored in this scenario.