How does increasing wing camber affect lift at the same angle of attack?

How does increasing wing camber affect lift at the same angle of attack?

• A. Decreases lift due to more drag.
• B. Has no effect on lift, only on stall speed.
• C. Increases coefficient of lift, producing more lift.
• D. Reverses lift direction.

Answer: (C)

Increasing wing camber means more curvature on the airfoil surface, which strengthens the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces for the same angle of attack. This raises the lift coefficient (CL). Since lift is proportional to CL times the dynamic pressure and wing area, a higher CL at the same flight conditions yields more lift. The cambered shape also shifts the lift curve so that the wing produces more lift at a given angle of attack (the zero-lift angle becomes more negative). Drag may rise with camber, but lift does not decrease; it increases, and it does not reverse lift direction.

Increasing wing camber means more curvature on the airfoil surface, which strengthens the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces for the same angle of attack. This raises the lift coefficient (CL). Since lift is proportional to CL times the dynamic pressure and wing area, a higher CL at the same flight conditions yields more lift. The cambered shape also shifts the lift curve so that the wing produces more lift at a given angle of attack (the zero-lift angle becomes more negative). Drag may rise with camber, but lift does not decrease; it increases, and it does not reverse lift direction.