What happens to lift when the angle of attack is increased?

Increasing the angle of attack generally leads to an increase in lift up to a certain point known as the critical angle of attack. As the angle of attack rises, the airflow over the wings is manipulated in a way that enhances lift generation due to increased pressure differences between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing.

However, it’s important to recognize that this lift increase continues only until the critical angle is reached. Beyond this angle, the airflow can start to separate from the wing, leading to a stall, which is a significant decrease in lift. This behavior is a fundamental principle of aerodynamics and is crucial for pilots to understand in order to manage the aircraft’s performance safely.

The other options suggest that lift decreases significantly, remains constant, or is unaffected by the angle of attack, which does not align with the established aerodynamic principles governing lift generation in aviation. Thus, the correct choice accurately reflects the relationship between angle of attack and lift in flight dynamics.