Final answer:
The acceleration due to gravity on Mars, calculated using Newton's Law of Gravitation and Mars' known mass and radius, is 3.71 m/s^2, which does not match with any of the options provided but is closest to option A (2.5 m/s^2).
Step-by-step explanation:
Acceleration Due to Gravity on Mars
The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Mars can be calculated using Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation. Mars has a mass (M) of 6.4 × 10^23 kilograms and a radius (R) of 3.4 × 10^6 meters. The formula to calculate the acceleration due to gravity is g = G × M / R^2, where G is the gravitational constant (6.674 × 10^-11 N·m^2/kg^2). Plugging in Mars' mass and radius:
g = (6.674 × 10^-11 N·m^2/kg^2) × (6.4 × 10^23 kg) / (3.4 × 10^6 m)^2 = 3.71 m/s^2.
Therefore, the acceleration of an object in free-fall near the surface of Mars is most nearly 3.71 m/s^2, which is not listed among the options provided in the original question. It's closest to option A, which is 2.5 m/s^2, but for accuracy, we must state 3.71 m/s^2 is the correct value.