MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

Which of the following are the classifications of firearms ballistics?

1. Potential, Kinetic, Forensic

2. Mechanical, DNA, Velocity

3. Internal, External, Terminal

4. Impact, Reactive, Static

The correct answer is: Internal, External, Terminal

The classification of firearms ballistics is primarily divided into three distinct categories: internal, external, and terminal ballistics. Internal ballistics refers to the processes that occur within the firearm when a round is fired. This includes everything from the ignition of the gunpowder, the movement of the bullet through the barrel, to the pressure and forces at play during this phase. Understanding internal ballistics is crucial for comprehending how various factors, such as barrel length and the type of ammunition used, can affect the performance of a firearm. External ballistics deals with the behavior of the projectile once it exits the barrel and is in flight toward the target. This includes the study of bullet drop, wind resistance, and any other environmental factors that can affect the trajectory of the bullet. Knowledge in this area aids in estimating how far a bullet will travel and where it will land under varying conditions. Terminal ballistics is the study of the effects of a projectile when it hits its target. This includes understanding how different types of ammunition impact on tissue or other materials, the energy transfer involved, and the resulting damage. Terminal ballistics is particularly important in forensic investigations to assess the kind of damage inflicted by different firearms or ammunition types. The other options do not accurately represent the