What happens to lift as the speed of an airfoil increases?

As the speed of an airfoil increases, lift increases as well. This is due to the fundamental principles of aerodynamics, particularly the Bernoulli's principle and the airflow characteristics around the airfoil.

When the speed of the airfoil increases, the velocity of the air over the upper surface increases, which lowers the pressure above the wing according to Bernoulli's principle. Simultaneously, the pressure below the wing remains relatively higher due to a slower airflow. This pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces generates additional lift.

Furthermore, lift is also affected by the angle of attack, which is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the oncoming airflow. An increase in speed allows for a greater effective lift without significantly altering the angle of attack, thus further enhancing lift generation until the point of critical angle is reached.

In summary, as the speed of an airfoil increases, the lift generated increases, assuming other factors such as angle of attack and air density remain constant.