In flight, the force that opposes motion through the air is called what?

In flight, the force that opposes motion through the air is called what?

• A. Lift
• B. Aviation
• C. Drag
• D. Dynamic

Answer: (C)

Drag is the force that opposes motion through the air. It arises from air friction against the aircraft’s surfaces and from pressure differences around the airplane as it moves. This force acts opposite to the direction of travel and increases with speed, which is why advancing flight requires more thrust to maintain speed. Lift, by contrast, acts upward to support weight and is roughly perpendicular to the flight path, not along it. The other options aren’t forces describing motion through air—aviation is a field, and dynamic isn’t the name of the resisting force. In steady flight, thrust balances drag so the aircraft maintains its speed.

Drag is the force that opposes motion through the air. It arises from air friction against the aircraft’s surfaces and from pressure differences around the airplane as it moves. This force acts opposite to the direction of travel and increases with speed, which is why advancing flight requires more thrust to maintain speed. Lift, by contrast, acts upward to support weight and is roughly perpendicular to the flight path, not along it. The other options aren’t forces describing motion through air—aviation is a field, and dynamic isn’t the name of the resisting force. In steady flight, thrust balances drag so the aircraft maintains its speed.