Question

how do you calculate the magnitude of acceleration of an object just dropped

Answer 1

http://physics.tutorvista.com/motion/magnitude-of-acceleration.html

Answer 2

It depends on what your are given!
Use the 3 equations of motion!
v=u+at
s = ut + at^2/2
v^2 = u^2 + 2as
Where
v = final velocity, u = intial velocity, t = time , a is ACCELRATION, s = distance! :)
Understood? :)

Answer 3

List the forces acting on the object, then use Newton's 2nd law of motion.

Answer 4

Gravity is a constant acceleration. 9.8 m/s^2

F=ma

Doesnt matter if you dropped it 500 feet or 10 feet. The value is the same.

However speed will vary from the time released