What happens to lift as angle of attack increases up to a certain point?

What happens to lift as angle of attack increases up to a certain point?

• A. Lift decreases
• B. Lift remains constant
• C. Lift increases
• D. Lift becomes negative

Answer: (C)

As the angle of attack increases up to a critical point, lift actually increases. The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind. When you increase this angle, you alter how the air flows over the wing. At low angles, the airflow remains attached to the wing surface. As the angle of attack increases, the wing can generate more lift because it increases the pressure differential between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The faster airflow over the top surface of the wing creates lower pressure, and this difference is what produces lift. However, it's important to note that this increase in lift doesn't go on indefinitely. There is a critical angle of attack beyond which the airflow can begin to separate from the wing's upper surface, leading to a stall. But within the normal operational range, an increase in angle of attack will result in an increase in lift, making this answer correct. Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective aircraft operation and performance.

As the angle of attack increases up to a critical point, lift actually increases. The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind. When you increase this angle, you alter how the air flows over the wing.

At low angles, the airflow remains attached to the wing surface. As the angle of attack increases, the wing can generate more lift because it increases the pressure differential between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The faster airflow over the top surface of the wing creates lower pressure, and this difference is what produces lift.

However, it's important to note that this increase in lift doesn't go on indefinitely. There is a critical angle of attack beyond which the airflow can begin to separate from the wing's upper surface, leading to a stall. But within the normal operational range, an increase in angle of attack will result in an increase in lift, making this answer correct. Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective aircraft operation and performance.