What is the effect of increased negative pressure on an airfoil's upper surface?

What is the effect of increased negative pressure on an airfoil's upper surface?

• A. It decreases lift
• B. It increases lift
• C. It stabilizes the aircraft
• D. It creates drag

Answer: (B)

Increased negative pressure on an airfoil's upper surface leads to an increase in lift. This phenomenon is grounded in Bernoulli's principle, which states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. When an aircraft wing (airfoil) moves through the air, the shape and angle allow it to create varying air pressures above and below the surface. As the angle of attack increases or as the airflow over the upper surface speeds up (often due to the wing's design), the pressure over the top of the wing drops. This negative pressure enhances lift by creating a greater pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The resultant lift is critical for the performance of the aircraft, assisting in taking off, climbing, and maneuvering during flight. When considering the other options, while drag and stabilization are factors in aircraft behavior, they are not directly related to the immediate effect of increased negative pressure on lift generation. An increase in lift is specifically connected to the interaction of airflow and pressure differences on the airfoil.

Increased negative pressure on an airfoil's upper surface leads to an increase in lift. This phenomenon is grounded in Bernoulli's principle, which states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. When an aircraft wing (airfoil) moves through the air, the shape and angle allow it to create varying air pressures above and below the surface.

As the angle of attack increases or as the airflow over the upper surface speeds up (often due to the wing's design), the pressure over the top of the wing drops. This negative pressure enhances lift by creating a greater pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The resultant lift is critical for the performance of the aircraft, assisting in taking off, climbing, and maneuvering during flight.

When considering the other options, while drag and stabilization are factors in aircraft behavior, they are not directly related to the immediate effect of increased negative pressure on lift generation. An increase in lift is specifically connected to the interaction of airflow and pressure differences on the airfoil.