What is the definition of induced drag?

Induced drag is specifically associated with the generation of lift, making the correct answer the one that identifies this relationship. When an aircraft generates lift, it creates a pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wings. This pressure difference results in the formation of vortices at the wingtips, which can lead to additional drag.

As the angle of attack increases to generate more lift, so does the induced drag. This relationship illustrates why induced drag is directly tied to lift: as more lift is produced, whether a small amount for level flight or a high amount during maneuvering, it inherently produces more induced drag due to the vortices formed at the wingtips.

Understanding induced drag is significant in aerodynamic design and efficiency, especially in optimizing lift-to-drag ratios during various phases of flight.