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Ballistics

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	Ballistics
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	Topics Ballistics Topic Home Ballistics, "throw") is the science of mechanicsMechanics Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behaviour of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacement... that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectileProjectile A projectile is any object sent through space by the application of a force.... s, especially bulletBullet A bullet is a solid projectile propelled by a firearm and is normally made from metal .... s, gravity bombGravity bomb A gravity bomb is an aircraft-delivered bomb that does not contain a guidance system and hence follows a ballistic trajector... s, rocketRocket The traditional definition of a rocket is a vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejectio... s, or the like; the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance. A ballistic body is a body which is free to move, behave, and be modified in appearance, contour, or texture by ambient conditions, substances, or forces, as by the pressure of gases in a gunGun A gun is a mechanical device that fires projectiles at high velocity, using a propellant such as gunpowder or compressed air... , by riflingRifling Summary Rifling refers to helix shaped grooves that have been formed into the barrel of a firearm.... in a barrel, by gravity, by temperatureTemperature In thermodynamics, temperature is a measure of the tendency of an object or system to spontaneously give up energy.... , or by air particles. A ballistic missileBallistic missile A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital, ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering a warhead... is a missileMissile A missile is a projectile propelled as a weapon at a target. ... designed to operate in accordance with the laws of ballistics. In the field of forensic science, forensic ballistics is the scienceScience Summary Science in the broadest sense refers to any system of knowledge attained by verifiable means.... of analyzing firearmFacts About Firearm A firearm is a weapon that fires either single or multiple projectiles propelled at high velocity by the gases produced thro... usage in crimes. Gun ballistics Gun ballistics is the study of projectiles from the time of shooting to the time of impact with the target. Gun ballistics is often broken down into the following four categories, which contain detailed information on each category: Internal ballisticsInternal ballistics Internal ballistics, a subfield of ballistics, is the study of a projectile's behaviour from the time its propellant is igni... , the study of the processes originally accelerating the projectile, for example the passage of a bulletBullet A bullet is a solid projectile propelled by a firearm and is normally made from metal .... through the barrel of a rifleRifle A rifle is a firearm with a stock and a barrel that has a spiral groove or grooves cut into its interior.... ; Transition ballistics, (sometimes called intermediate ballistics) the study of the projectile's behavior when it leaves the barrel and the pressure behind the projectile is equalized. External ballisticsFacts About External ballistics External ballistics is the part of ballistics that refers to the behavior of a bullet after it exits the barrel and before i... , the study of the passage of the projectile through space or the air; and Terminal ballisticsTerminal ballistics Terminal ballistics, a sub-field of ballistics, is the study of the behavior of a projectile when it hits its target.... , the study of the interaction of a projectile with its target, whether that be flesh (for a hunting bullet), steel (for an anti-tank round), or even furnace slagSlag Slags are the by-product of smelting ore to purify metals.... (for an industrial slag disruptor). Forensic ballistics Forensic ballistics involves analysis of bulletBullet A bullet is a solid projectile propelled by a firearm and is normally made from metal .... s and bullet impacts to determine the type. Separately from ballistics information, firearm and tool mark examinations involve analyzing firearm, ammunition, and tool mark evidence in order to establish whether a certain firearm or tool was used in the commission of a crime. RiflingRifling Rifling refers to helix shaped grooves that have been formed into the barrel of a firearm.... , which first made an appearance in the 15th century15th century As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500.... , is the process of making grooves in gun barrels that imparts a spin to the projectile for increased accuracy and range. Bullets fired from rifled weapons acquire a distinct signature of grooves, scratches, and indentations which are somewhat unique to the weapon used. The first firearms evidence identification can be traced back to EnglandEngland England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom.... in 1835 when the unique markings on a bullet taken from a victim were matched with a bullet mold belonging to the suspect. When confronted with the damning evidence, the suspect confessed to the crime. The first court case involving firearms evidence took place in 1902 when a specific gun was proven to be the murder weapon. The expert in the case, Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was an American jurist who served on the United States Supreme Court from 1902-1932.... , had read about firearm identification, and had a gunsmith test-fire the alleged murder weapon into a wad of cotton wool. A magnifying glass was used to match the bullet from the victim with the test bullet. Calvin Goddard, physician and ex-army officer, acquired data from all known gun manufacturers in order to develop a comprehensive database. With his partner, Charles Waite, he catalogued the results of test-firings from every type of handgun made by 12 manufacturers. Waite also invented the comparison microscopeComparison microscope A comparison microscope, sometimes known also as stereomicroscope or dissecting microscope, is a device used to analyze side... . With this instrument, two bullets could be laid adjacent to one another for comparative examination. In 1925 Goddard wrote an article for the Army Ordnance titled "Forensic Ballistics" in which he described the use of the comparison microscopeComparison microscope A comparison microscope, sometimes known also as stereomicroscope or dissecting microscope, is a device used to analyze side... regarding firearms investigations. He is generally credited with the conception of the term "forensic ballistics," though he later admitted it to be an inadequate name for the science. In 1929 the St. Valentine's Day MassacreSt. Valentine's Day massacre The St. Valentine's Day massacre is the name given to the shooting of seven people as part of a Prohibition Era conflict bet... led to the opening of the first independent scientific crime detection laboratory in the United StatesUnited States The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is... . See also Ballistic fingerprintingBallistic fingerprinting Ballistic fingerprinting, a sub-category of firearms examination, is a forensic method that is intended help to find the gun... BulletBullet A bullet is a solid projectile propelled by a firearm and is normally made from metal .... Cartridge GunGun A gun is a mechanical device that fires projectiles at high velocity, using a propellant such as gunpowder or compressed air... Physics of firearmsPhysics of firearms Summary From the viewpoint of physics, a firearm, as for most weapons, is a system for delivering maximum destructive energy to the target... TrajectoryTrajectory A trajectory is an imagined trace of positions followed by an object moving through space.... Vaporific EffectVaporific Effect Vaporific Effect - A flash fire resulting from the impact of high velocity projectiles with metallic objects.... Gunshot injury Stopping PowerStopping power Stopping power is a colloquial term used to describe the ability of a particular weapon to stop the actions of an individual... Association of Firearm and Tool Mark ExaminersAssociation of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners Summary The Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners, is a "not for profit" international organization dedicated to the advanc... MechanicsMechanics Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behaviour of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacement... External links by Jeff Bryant, The Wolfram Demonstrations Project. Ballistic comparison — Trajectory and related calculators