Camber causes the velocity of the airflow immediately above the wing to be higher than below the wing. This statement is:

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only at high speeds
• D. Only with flaps down

Answer: (A)

Camber shapes the wing so the air must follow a curved path over the top surface. To stay on that curve, the air over the upper surface speeds up, while the flow beneath remains comparatively slower. Faster flow on top means lower pressure there (per Bernoulli’s principle), with relatively higher pressure underneath, which produces the lift that keeps the airplane aloft. This effect is characteristic for a cambered wing in normal flight and isn’t restricted to high speeds or to flaps being down (though increasing camber with flaps can amplify the lift). Flow separation at very high angles of attack can change the picture, but under typical conditions the statement is true.