In a glider wing, which camber arrangement is true?

In a glider wing, which camber arrangement is true?

• A. The camber is greater on the lower surface than the upper
• B. Camber is symmetrical on both surfaces
• C. Camber has no effect on lift
• D. The camber is greater on the upper surface than the lower

Answer: (D)

Camber describes how curved the airfoil is. In a glider wing, the upper surface is more curved than the lower surface. That extra curvature on top makes the air accelerate more over the upper surface, which lowers the pressure above the wing and creates lift. Because the top is more curved, the wing achieves a higher lift coefficient at a given angle of attack than a symmetric or bottom-cambered shape, which is why this arrangement is favored for efficient gliding. If the camber were greater on the lower surface or if the surfaces were symmetric, you’d get less lift at the same angle of attack (or require a higher angle of attack, increasing drag).

Camber describes how curved the airfoil is. In a glider wing, the upper surface is more curved than the lower surface. That extra curvature on top makes the air accelerate more over the upper surface, which lowers the pressure above the wing and creates lift. Because the top is more curved, the wing achieves a higher lift coefficient at a given angle of attack than a symmetric or bottom-cambered shape, which is why this arrangement is favored for efficient gliding. If the camber were greater on the lower surface or if the surfaces were symmetric, you’d get less lift at the same angle of attack (or require a higher angle of attack, increasing drag).