What happens to lift and drag as angle of attack increases toward stall?

• A. Lift remains constant and drag increases slightly.
• B. Lift increases with AoA up to CLmax; drag rises sharply as stall approaches, and after stall lift collapses.
• C. Lift decreases while drag decreases.
• D. Lift increases indefinitely with drag remains constant.

Answer: (B)

As angle of attack increases toward stall, lift grows with the angle of attack up to the maximum lift coefficient, reaching the point where the wing can no longer generate more lift efficiently. Right as that point is approached, the flow begins to separate from the wing surface, and drag starts to rise sharply because of the now turbulent, separated flow. Once stall occurs, lift falls off dramatically because the wing can no longer maintain the smooth, high-pressure distribution that produces lift. Drag remains high due to the turbulent wake and increasing form drag. So you see lift increasing with AoA up to CLmax, drag climbing steeply as stall nears, and lift collapsing after stall.