A

Step 1: Determine the height from which the particle falls. At point A, the particle is 1.0 m above the horizontal section of the track. Step 2: Calculate the time it takes for the particle to fall to the ground. Using the equation for free fall: $$ h = \frac{1}{2} g t^2 $$ where $h = 1.0$ m and $g \approx 9.8$ m/s². Rearranging, we get: $$ t = \sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}} = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 1.0}{9.8}} \approx 0.45 \text{ s} $$ Step 3: Determine the horizontal distance traveled while falling. The horizontal distance is given by the horizontal velocity times time. Using conservation of energy, the particle gains kinetic energy as it descends. The potential energy at the height will convert into kinetic energy: $$ mgh = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 $$ Substituting for $h$ results in: $$ v = \sqrt{2gh} = \sqrt{2 \times 9.8 \times 1.0} \approx 4.43 \text{ m/s} $$ Step 4: Calculate the distance from the track. The horizontal distance traveled is: $$ x = v \times t \approx 4.43 \times 0.45 \approx 2.00 ext{ m} $$ Thus, the particle will hit the ground approximately 2.0 m away from the track.