ELI5: wing generate lift

// eli5

What is lift and how do wings create it?

A wing generates lift by pushing air downward, kind of like how a spoon pushes water aside when you stir a cup [1]. The curved shape of the wing helps it push air down more efficiently than a flat surface [2].

Why does pushing air down make the plane go up?

When a wing pushes air downward, the air pushes back on the wing upward—it's like Newton's rule that every action has an equal and opposite reaction [1]. This upward push is what we call lift, and it's strong enough to hold the entire plane in the sky [1].

Does the wing's angle matter?

Yes! The wing needs to be tilted at just the right angle (called the angle of attack) to push air downward effectively [5]. If the wing is completely flat and parallel to the direction you're flying, it won't push air down and won't create lift [3].

How fast do planes need to go to stay up?

Planes need to move through the air fast enough to push enough air downward to create enough lift [5]. The faster you go, the more lift you get, so planes can fly slower if they tilt their wings up more, or fly faster if they tilt them less [5].