Question

define the term acceleration due to gravity

Answer 1

The acceleration due to gravity near the earth's surface is g = $\bold {\frac {GM_e} {R_e {} ^{2} } }$

The direction of this acceleration is vertically downwards, that is, towards the earth's centre.

The acceleration of a body moving near the earth's surface under the influence of gravity is the same regardless of weather it moves up, falls down or moves at some angle to the vertical.