What does induced drag depend on?

Induced drag is a type of aerodynamic drag that is directly related to the generation of lift. When an aircraft generates lift, particularly at angles of attack above the wing's optimal angle, it produces vortices that increase drag. The more lift an aircraft needs to generate (often influenced by the angle of attack), the greater the induced drag.

The relationship between angle of attack and lift is critical because as the angle of attack increases to produce more lift, the induced drag also increases. This effect becomes more significant at lower speeds and during conditions where high lift is required, such as during takeoff or landing.

While factors like velocity, wing area, and air density can influence overall drag experienced by an aircraft, the specific relationship of induced drag is fundamentally tied to how lift is generated through the angle of attack. Thus, understanding this dependence is essential for comprehending how to manage induced drag for efficient flight performance.