What does external ballistics study?

External ballistics is the branch of ballistics that focuses on the behavior of projectiles once they have exited the muzzle of a firearm. This area of study examines how bullets travel through the air, considering factors such as gravity, wind resistance, air pressure, and other environmental conditions that can affect a projectile’s trajectory and stability. Understanding external ballistics is crucial for accurate shooting and marksmanship, as it helps shooters predict where the projectile will land and optimize their aim based on various distances and shooting conditions.

The other options relate to different aspects of firearms and ammunition. The first option pertains to internal ballistics, which deals with the processes occurring within the firearm before the projectile exits the muzzle. The third option addresses the ignition of the powder charge, also an element of internal ballistics. Lastly, the fourth option refers to ammunition manufacturing processes, which are not directly related to how projectiles behave in flight. Each of these areas plays a role in the overall understanding of firearms but focuses on different stages of the firearm operation or the ammunition lifecycle.