A gun's muzzle velocity is the speed at which the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun. Muzzle velocities range from subsonic (below 330 m·s^-1 / ~1083 ft/s) for some pistols to more than 1,800 m·s^-1 (~5906 ft/s) for tank guns firing kinetic energy penetrator ammunition. The latter velocity is close to the limit achievable with chemical propellants. A gun is a common name given to a device that fires high-velocity projectiles. ... A projectile is any object sent through space by the application of a force. ... The muzzle of a firearm is the end of the barrel from which the projectile will exit. ... Subsonic has two possible meanings: A speed lower than the speed of sound is called subsonic. ... Metre per second (U.S. spelling: meter per second) is an SI derived unit of both speed (scalar) and velocity (vector), defined by distance in metres divided by time in seconds. ... Feet per second is a unit of speed; it expressses the number of feet traveled in one second. ... A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... French anti-tank round with its sabot APFSDS at point of separation of sabot. ... A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ...

In conventional guns using gunpowder, muzzle velocity is determined by the quality (burn speed, expansion) and quantity of the propellant, the mass of the projectile, and the length of the barrel. A slower burning propellant needs a longer barrel to burn completely, but can on the other hand use a heavier projectile. A faster burning propellant may accelerate a lighter projectile to higher speeds if the same amount of propellant is used. In a gun, the pressure resulting from the process is a limiting factor and a balance between propellant quality and quantity, projectile mass and barrel length must be found if both safety and optimal performance is to be found. Smokeless powder Gunpowder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, is a substance that burns very rapidly, releasing gases that act as a propellant in firearms. ... A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ...

The velocity of a projectile is highest at the muzzle and drops off steadily due to air resistance. Generally, lighter projectiles lose velocity more rapidly than heavier ones. While a lighter projectile will move faster it will not carry more kinetic energy and if physically smaller, must carry a smaller internal explosive charge. As the gun's propellant charge is mostly burned before the projectile has moved very far down the barrel, adding length to the barrel will not indefinitely increase the muzzle velocity. Large naval guns will have length to diameter ratios of 38:1 to 50:1. Kinetic energy is the energy by virtue of the motion of an object. ... Navy is also:- shorthand for Navy Blue the nickname of the United States Naval Academy A navy is the branch of the armed forces of a nation that operates primarily on water. ...

There is much interest in modernizing naval weaponry by using electrically driven railguns, which overcome the limitations noted above. With railguns, a constant acceleration is provided along the entire length of the device, greatly increasing the muzzle velocity. There is also a significant advantage in not having to carry explosive propellant and even the projectile internal charges may be eliminated due to the high velocity - the projectile becomes a strictly kinetic weapon. // A railgun is a form of gun that converts electrical energy (rather than the more conventional chemical energy from an explosive propellant) into projectile kinetic energy. ... Kinetic energy (also called vis viva, or living force) is energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion. ...

See also

• firearm
• muzzle energy