How does a wing create lift?

A wing generates lift primarily due to the difference in air pressure created between its upper and lower surfaces, which is influenced by the wing's shape and the angle of attack. When air flows over the wing, it travels faster over the curved upper surface than the flatter lower surface. According to Bernoulli's principle, as the speed of the airflow increases, the pressure decreases. This creates a pressure differential, with lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below it, resulting in upward lift.

The curvature of the top surface decreases the pressure by increasing the velocity of air over it, effectively lifting the aircraft. Understanding this principle is crucial for pilots as it demonstrates how wing design directly impacts flight performance and stability.

Other factors affecting lift, such as angle of attack and surface area, are important but come into play in different contexts. The angle of the wing in relation to the ground certainly affects lift, but it is the shape and airflow that primarily determine how lift is generated. The surface area of the wing's bottom alone does not account for the pressure difference necessary for generating lift. Similarly, weight distribution impacts how the aircraft reacts to lift but doesn't directly contribute to the creation of lift itself.