Mechanics (1d - Kinematics)

Explanation
When an object falls freely in a vacuum, there is no air resistance acting upon it. This means that the only force acting on the object is gravity. According to the laws of physics, when an object is subject to a constant force, it experiences a constant acceleration. In this case, the force of gravity causes the object to accelerate downwards. As the object accelerates, its velocity increases. Therefore, the correct answer is that the velocity of the object increases as it falls freely in a vacuum.

Explanation
In the absence of air resistance, the only force acting on the ball is gravity. When the ball is thrown upwards, it slows down due to the gravitational pull until it reaches its highest point where its velocity becomes zero. As the ball falls back down, it accelerates due to gravity, gaining speed. At the moment it is caught, the ball would have the same speed as it had when thrown upwards because the acceleration due to gravity is constant and the ball would have traveled the same distance upwards and downwards. Therefore, the correct answer is that the speed of the ball when caught would be the same as the speed it had when thrown upwards.

Explanation
When an object is in free fall, it accelerates due to gravity. This means that its velocity increases with each passing second. As a result, the object covers a larger distance in the second that follows compared to the second before. Therefore, the correct answer is that the object falls a larger distance as in the second before.

Explanation
At the highest point of flight, the ball has reached its maximum height and is momentarily at rest before it starts to fall back down. At this point, the velocity of the ball is zero, but the acceleration is directed downward due to the force of gravity acting on it. This downward acceleration is responsible for bringing the ball back down to the ground.

Explanation
When a free falling object is dropped from rest, it accelerates due to gravity. The acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2. After falling for 1 second, the object would have reached a velocity of approximately 9.8 m/s. However, due to air resistance, the actual speed may be slightly less than this. Therefore, the closest option is 10m/s.