Lift Coefficient
What is lift coefficient?
The lift coefficient is a number that represents how effectively a given airfoil produces lift. It is found by dividing the lift force by the free-stream dynamic pressure and the wing's representative area. The coefficient depends mainly on the airfoil shape and angle of attack, so it rises as you increase angle of attack—up until the stalling angle. Think of it as a measure of the wing's "lifting ability" at a given moment, independent of speed or air density.
Also known as: CL, coefficient of lift
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