Final answer:
The velocity of an object just before it hits the ground can be calculated using the kinematic equation which factors in the height from which it is dropped and Earth's gravitational acceleration.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an object is dropped, its velocity right before it hits the ground is determined by the acceleration due to gravity and the height from which it was dropped. Using kinematic equations, if we assume the object starts from rest, the velocity just before impact (ǁ) can be found with the equation ǁ = -√(2gy), where 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity (9.80 m/s²) and 'y' is the height. The negative sign indicates that the velocity is directed downward. Since this does not account for air resistance, the calculated velocity is the maximum speed the object would reach during free fall under Earth's gravity.