Induced Drag: Which statement best describes Induced Drag?

Induced Drag: Which statement best describes Induced Drag?

• A. Drag that arises from the generation of lift on a wing
• B. Drag caused by skin friction
• C. Drag caused by form
• D. Drag caused by interference

Answer: (A)

Induced drag is the portion of drag that arises directly from the wing generating lift. When a wing produces lift, the air must be directed downward (downwash) and wingtip vortices form. This redistribution of airflow creates a rearward force component that opposes forward motion, so drag is produced as a byproduct of lift generation. This is why induced drag is linked to how much lift the wing is producing and tends to increase at higher angles of attack or lower speeds. The other types of drag come from different causes: skin friction from viscous shear on surfaces, form drag from pressure differences around the shape, and interference drag from flow interactions between surfaces. So the statement that best describes induced drag is that it arises from the generation of lift on a wing.

Induced drag is the portion of drag that arises directly from the wing generating lift. When a wing produces lift, the air must be directed downward (downwash) and wingtip vortices form. This redistribution of airflow creates a rearward force component that opposes forward motion, so drag is produced as a byproduct of lift generation. This is why induced drag is linked to how much lift the wing is producing and tends to increase at higher angles of attack or lower speeds. The other types of drag come from different causes: skin friction from viscous shear on surfaces, form drag from pressure differences around the shape, and interference drag from flow interactions between surfaces. So the statement that best describes induced drag is that it arises from the generation of lift on a wing.