According to Bernoulli's Principle, what happens to air pressure as velocity of airflow over a wing increases?
APressure increases proportionally with velocity.
BPressure decreases as velocity increases.✓ Correct answer
CPressure remains constant regardless of velocity.
Why →Bernoulli's Principle states that in streamlined flow, as fluid velocity increases, pressure decreases. Air flowing over the curved upper wing surface accelerates (longer path), creating lower pressure above. Slower-moving air below creates higher pressure, and this differential produces lift. The same principle applies to propeller and rotor blades shaped as airfoils.
The trap →"Pressure increases with velocity" is the instinctive guess. The relationship is inverse.
Field note →Bernoulli's Principle also explains why ice accumulation on rotor blades is dangerous. It disrupts the airfoil shape and destroys the velocity differential that generates lift, potentially causing sudden loss of thrust from the affected rotor.