Texas Hunter Education Certification Practice Exam

What factor has the most influence on a bullet's trajectory?

1. The weight of the bullet

2. The shape of the bullet

3. Gravity

4. Wind speed

The correct answer is: Gravity

The most significant factor that influences a bullet's trajectory is gravity. When a bullet is fired, it follows a path that is affected by several forces, but gravity is the primary force acting on the bullet as it travels through the air. Once the bullet leaves the barrel, it begins to fall toward the ground due to gravitational pull, creating a downward arc in its path. This means that over distance, a bullet will drop and it’s crucial for a shooter to account for that drop when aiming at targets, especially at long ranges. While other factors such as the weight and shape of the bullet, as well as wind speed, do interact with the bullet's flight, they do not have as profound an impact on the fundamental path dictated by gravity. For instance, a heavier bullet may resist wind drift better than a lighter bullet, and the shape of the bullet can influence aerodynamics. However, regardless of these characteristics, gravity is always at work affecting the bullet's trajectory downward and directly influencing how far it travels before hitting the ground.