The angle of attack directly controls which aerodynamic parameter on the wing?

The angle of attack directly controls which aerodynamic parameter on the wing?

• A. Airspeed in level flight
• B. Distribution of pressures acting on the wing
• C. Camber of the wing
• D. Wing span

Answer: (B)

Angle of attack directly affects how the air is turned by the wing, which sets the pressure distribution over the wing surfaces. The lift generated by a wing comes from the difference in pressure between the upper and lower surfaces. When the angle of attack changes, this pressure distribution changes: the upper surface experiences greater suction (lower pressure) and the lower surface sees relatively higher pressure, creating lift. As the angle increases, this pressure difference grows (up to near stall), increasing lift but also increasing drag. The other options aren’t directly controlled by angle of attack: airspeed in level flight is determined by thrust and drag balance, camber is a fixed wing shape, and wing span is a fixed geometric dimension.

Angle of attack directly affects how the air is turned by the wing, which sets the pressure distribution over the wing surfaces. The lift generated by a wing comes from the difference in pressure between the upper and lower surfaces. When the angle of attack changes, this pressure distribution changes: the upper surface experiences greater suction (lower pressure) and the lower surface sees relatively higher pressure, creating lift. As the angle increases, this pressure difference grows (up to near stall), increasing lift but also increasing drag. The other options aren’t directly controlled by angle of attack: airspeed in level flight is determined by thrust and drag balance, camber is a fixed wing shape, and wing span is a fixed geometric dimension.