Induced drag is inversely proportional to what factor?

Induced drag is inversely proportional to what factor?

• A. Air density
• B. The square root of the speed
• C. Wing loading
• D. Altitude

Answer: (B)

Induced drag is a type of drag that primarily occurs due to the generation of lift. It is influenced by several factors, and one key relationship is with the speed of the aircraft. Specifically, induced drag is inversely proportional to the square of the speed of the aircraft. As the speed increases, the induced drag decreases due to the reduction in the angle of attack required to maintain lift at a higher speed. This relationship can be summarized by the formula related to induced drag, which states that induced drag is equal to the lift divided by the square of the aircraft's speed. Consequently, as speed increases, the induced drag reduces, demonstrating the inverse proportionality. In contrast, the other factors listed do not have the same direct and clear inverse relationship with induced drag. While air density and altitude can affect efficiency and performance in a broader sense, they do not directly inversely affect induced drag in the way that speed does. Similarly, wing loading impacts overall drag but does not modify the relationship between speed and induced drag directly. Thus, understanding the dynamics of induced drag highlights the importance of speed in managing an aircraft’s aerodynamic performance.

Induced drag is a type of drag that primarily occurs due to the generation of lift. It is influenced by several factors, and one key relationship is with the speed of the aircraft. Specifically, induced drag is inversely proportional to the square of the speed of the aircraft. As the speed increases, the induced drag decreases due to the reduction in the angle of attack required to maintain lift at a higher speed.

This relationship can be summarized by the formula related to induced drag, which states that induced drag is equal to the lift divided by the square of the aircraft's speed. Consequently, as speed increases, the induced drag reduces, demonstrating the inverse proportionality.

In contrast, the other factors listed do not have the same direct and clear inverse relationship with induced drag. While air density and altitude can affect efficiency and performance in a broader sense, they do not directly inversely affect induced drag in the way that speed does. Similarly, wing loading impacts overall drag but does not modify the relationship between speed and induced drag directly. Thus, understanding the dynamics of induced drag highlights the importance of speed in managing an aircraft’s aerodynamic performance.