Final answer:
The net force on an apple in free fall is its weight, which is given as 1 N, directed downward; this is under the assumption of negligible air resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The net force on an apple in free fall is essentially its weight, assuming air resistance is negligible. When the only force acting on an object is the force of gravity, the object is said to be in free fall. According to Newton's second law, the net external force on an object is its weight, which is the product of its mass (m) and the acceleration due to gravity (g). Since the weight of the apple is given as 1 N, and it is in free fall, the net force is also 1 N directed downward. This is based on the assumption of an apple being at Earth's surface where the acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.8 m/s².