Wing
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A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expressed as its lift-to-drag ratio. The lift a wing generates at a given speed and angle of attack can be one to two orders of magnitude greater than the total drag on the wing. A high lift-to-drag ratio requires a significantly smaller thrust to propel the wings through the air at sufficient lift.
Wing of a Eurasian magpie, which allows flight by the flapping of wings.
A swept wing KC-10 Extender (top) refuels a trapezoidal-wing F-22 Raptor.
Condensation in the low pressure region over the wing of an Airbus A340, passing through humid air.
The wing of a landing BMI Airbus A319-100. The slats at its leading edge and the flaps at its trailing edge are extended.
Lift (force)
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When a fluid flows around an object, the fluid exerts a force on the object. Lift is the component of this force that is perpendicular to the oncoming flow direction. It contrasts with the drag force, which is the component of the force parallel to the flow direction. Lift conventionally acts in an upward direction in order to counter the force of gravity, but it is defined to act perpendicular to the flow and therefore can act in any direction.
The 1902 Wright Glider shows its lift by pulling up
A cross-section of a wing defines an airfoil shape.
Angle of attack of an airfoil
An airfoil with camber compared to a symmetrical airfoil