Lift is the upward force created by which of the following?

Lift is the upward force generated primarily by air flowing around a specially shaped surface, commonly referred to as an airfoil, which is typically found on the wings of an aircraft. When air passes over and under the wings, it must travel faster over the top surface due to the shape of the airfoil, resulting in lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below it. This difference in pressure creates a net upward force, or lift, allowing the aircraft to rise and maintain flight.

Understanding lift in the context of aerodynamics is crucial, as it revolves around the principles of fluid dynamics and Bernoulli's principle, which explains how the speed of a fluid relates to its pressure. This relationship between airflow and pressure is essential for aircraft design and operation.