Which term describes the speed of a projectile as it travels through the air?

The term that describes the speed of a projectile as it travels through the air is velocity. Velocity is a vector quantity that specifies both the speed of the projectile and the direction in which it is moving. In the context of ballistics, understanding the velocity of a projectile is crucial because it affects the projectile's trajectory, impact, and behavior while in flight.

Momentum, while related to velocity, specifically refers to the quantity of motion an object has, which is a product of its mass and velocity. Acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity over time, not the speed itself. Drag, on the other hand, is the aerodynamic resistance experienced by the projectile as it moves through the air, which affects its velocity rather than defining it. Understanding velocity is fundamental in ballistics for calculations related to range, accuracy, and ballistic trajectories.