Many descriptions of lift fall short by relying on a one-way cause-and-effect explanation. Really, lift should be thought of as a set of interactions that occur together at the same time. As the air flows around the wing, the pressure field deforms the flow, while at the same time the air’s motion creates the pressure difference. Similarly, the pressure field produces a lifting force on the wing, and the wing reacts by pushing back on the air, producing the pressure field. Together, these produce and sustain the lift force.

The details of the pressure and airflow depend on the exact shape of the wing. However, there are general features that are true for any wing design. For example, wings are designed to be angled upward, to direct the airflow downward, and produce lift. The angle of the wing with the incoming air is known as the “angle of attack” and is a key concept in flight, controlling the amount of lift. Devices, like flaps, are also added to airplane wings to helps increase this angle of attack when landing or taking off. 

To learn more about the details of the airflow around the wing, watch this video, or read this article. To understand more about devices used to create lift, see this article. 

Next Section »