Ballistics : Terminal ballistics

Ballistics is the science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles, especially bullets, aerial bombs, rockets, or the like; the science or art of designing and hurling projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance.

A ballistic body is a body which is free to move, behave, and be modified in appearance, contour, or texture by ambient conditions, substances, or forces, as by the pressure of gases in a gun, by rifling in a barrel, by gravity, by temperature, or by air particles.

Firearm ballistics information is used in forensic science. The term terminal ballistics refers to the last part of the trajectory of a bullet as it hits its target, resulting in a gunshot wound.

A ballistic missile is a missile designed to operate primarily in accordance with the laws of ballistics.

This is a stub article, until a full article on ballistics can be written.

See also:

• physics of firearms for an elementary introduction

External links

• http://naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/1922/naca-tm-111/
• http://www.mindspring.com/~ulfhere/ballistics/mechanics.html