External ballistics
![Schlieren image of a bullet travelling in free-flight demonstrating the air pressure dynamics surrounding the bullet.](/Images/godic/202501/02/-Bullet_Wiki.ogv4941.jpg")
![Typical trajectory graph for a M4 carbine and M16A2 rifle using identical M855 cartridges with identical projectiles. Though both trajectories have an identical 25 m near zero, the difference in muzzle velocity of the projectiles gradually causes a significant difference in trajectory and far zero. The 0 inch axis represents the line of sight or horizontal sighting plane.](/Images/godic/202501/02/M855_drop_during_25-meter_zeroing_trajectory_M16A2_M44942.jpg")
![Schlieren photo/Shadowgraph of the detached shock or bow shockwave around a bullet in supersonic flight, published by Ernst Mach in 1888.](/Images/godic/202501/02/Photography_of_bow_shock_waves_around_a_brass_bullet,_18884942.jpg")
![G1 shape standard projectile. All measurements in calibers/diameters.](/Images/godic/202501/02/G1_Shape_Standard_Projectile_Measurements_in_Calibers4942.png")
External ballistics or exterior ballistics is the part of ballistics that deals with the behavior of a non-powered projectile in flight.
External ballistics is frequently associated with firearms, and deals with the unpowered free-flight phase of the bullet after it exits the barrel and before it hits the target, so it lies between transitional ballistics and terminal ballistics.