Lift on a wing is produced by

Lift on a wing is produced by

• A. By equalizing pressure on both surfaces
• B. By higher pressure below and lower pressure above the wing
• C. By higher pressure above and lower pressure below
• D. By thrust from the engine

Answer: (B)

Lift comes from a pressure difference created by the wing’s shape and its angle of attack. The air speeding over the upper surface lowers the pressure there, while the air beneath the wing remains at a relatively higher pressure. This pressure difference pushes the wing upward, producing lift. The wing also deflects air downward (downwash), which, by Newton’s third law, contributes to the upward force. So the statement that describes lift best is higher pressure below and lower pressure above the wing. The idea of equalized pressure would not generate lift, and higher pressure above with lower pressure below would push the wing downward. Engine thrust isn’t what creates lift in the airflow sense.

Lift comes from a pressure difference created by the wing’s shape and its angle of attack. The air speeding over the upper surface lowers the pressure there, while the air beneath the wing remains at a relatively higher pressure. This pressure difference pushes the wing upward, producing lift. The wing also deflects air downward (downwash), which, by Newton’s third law, contributes to the upward force.

So the statement that describes lift best is higher pressure below and lower pressure above the wing. The idea of equalized pressure would not generate lift, and higher pressure above with lower pressure below would push the wing downward. Engine thrust isn’t what creates lift in the airflow sense.