Which statement about external ballistics is true?

Which statement about external ballistics is true?

• A. Gravity, Drag, Wind, and Spin.
• B. Gravity only
• C. Wind only
• D. Drag only

Answer: (A)

External ballistics looks at what happens to a bullet after it leaves the muzzle, and the path it follows is shaped by multiple forces: gravity pulls the bullet downward, aerodynamic drag slows it and contributes to drop, wind can push the bullet sideways producing drift, and spin from the rifling stabilizes the bullet’s orientation in flight and influences stability and drag. Because all of these factors affect the trajectory, the true statement is that gravity, drag, wind, and spin are involved. Focusing on just one factor would miss the others and give an incomplete picture of how a bullet travels to the target.

External ballistics looks at what happens to a bullet after it leaves the muzzle, and the path it follows is shaped by multiple forces: gravity pulls the bullet downward, aerodynamic drag slows it and contributes to drop, wind can push the bullet sideways producing drift, and spin from the rifling stabilizes the bullet’s orientation in flight and influences stability and drag. Because all of these factors affect the trajectory, the true statement is that gravity, drag, wind, and spin are involved. Focusing on just one factor would miss the others and give an incomplete picture of how a bullet travels to the target.