ballistic trajectory
Arc of thrown object
A ballistic trajectory is the curved path an object follows when launched or thrown and then moving only under the influence of gravity and air resistance—no engine, no wings, no further propulsion.
Bullets, cannonballs, and thrown baseballs all follow ballistic trajectories.
The term distinguishes this passive arc from powered or guided flight: Once the rocket's fuel ran out, it entered a ballistic trajectory.
- projectileLaunched airborne object
- bullet dropGravity's effect on ammunition
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- artillery shellLarge-caliber explosive projectile
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
guided missile · cannonball · gravity · acceleration · free fall · apogee · drag coefficient · terminal velocity · parabola · flight path · ICBM · range finder · reentry · air resistance · space debris · satellite launch · rocket propulsion · Newtonian mechanics
- projectile physicsprojectile motion, launch angle, velocity, gravity, parabola
- orbital mechanicsorbital mechanics, eccentricity, inclination, apogee, perigee