Ballistics deals with which of the following?

Ballistics is fundamentally the science that focuses on the behavior and dynamics of moving projectiles. This includes understanding the forces at play when a projectile is fired, its trajectory, stability, and the various factors that can influence its path, such as air resistance, gravity, and drag. The study of moving projectiles encompasses both internal ballistics (what happens inside the firearm until the projectile exits) and external ballistics (the flight of the projectile through the air) as well as terminal ballistics (what happens when the projectile hits a target).

While firearm malfunctions, shooting techniques, and ammunition types are related topics within the broader field of firearms and shooting sports, they do not define the core focus of ballistics. Instead, they are separate areas of study that can be influenced by the principles of ballistics but are not encompassed by its primary definition. Understanding ballistics helps shooters and technical experts to improve accuracy, assess performance, and troubleshoot various aspects of shooting dynamics.