How does atmospheric pressure affect ballistics?

Atmospheric pressure plays a crucial role in ballistics, directly influencing how a projectile behaves once it is fired. When atmospheric pressure changes, it affects the density of the air through which the projectile travels. Lower atmospheric pressure means less air density, allowing a projectile to travel more freely with less drag. Conversely, higher atmospheric pressure increases air density, resulting in greater drag on the projectile. This alteration affects several key ballistic factors, including projectile velocity, drop (the distance the projectile falls due to gravity during its flight), and drift (the lateral deviation caused by wind and other factors).

Understanding these effects is essential for accurate shooting, as changes in pressure can lead to deviations from expected trajectories, impacting the overall performance and effectiveness of a shot. Thus, the influence of atmospheric pressure on these aspects of ballistics is significant and requires consideration for any shooting scenario.