The correct option is (c).
Explanation
A "freely falling body" is an object that is falling under the sole influence of gravity. In this idealized scenario, air resistance is neglected, and the motion is governed by the acceleration due to gravity ($g$).
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct.
Uniform motion is defined as motion with a constant velocity (zero acceleration). In the case of a freely falling body, the velocity continuously increases as it falls due to the force of gravity. Since the velocity is changing with time, the motion is classified as non-uniform motion. - Statement 2 is Incorrect.
Uniformly accelerated motion refers to motion where the acceleration remains constant over time. A freely falling body near the Earth's surface experiences a constant acceleration due to gravity ($g \approx 9.8 \, m/s^2$). Therefore, it is an example of uniformly accelerated motion, not non-uniformly accelerated motion. - Statement 3 is Correct.
For a body in free fall near the surface of the Earth, the acceleration acting on it is the acceleration due to gravity ($g$). This value is constant in magnitude and direction (vertically downwards) throughout the fall, provided the height of the fall is small compared to the radius of the Earth.
Key Takeaway:
Free fall is a specific case of non-uniform motion (changing velocity) that is uniformly accelerated (constant acceleration equal to $g$).