Editing Lift coefficient (section)

{{Short description|Dimensionless quantity relating lift to fluid density and velocity over an area}}

In [[fluid dynamics]], the '''lift coefficient''' ({{math|'''''C''<sub>L</sub>'''}}) is a [[dimensionless quantity]] that relates the [[Lift (force)|lift]] generated by a [[lifting body]] to the [[fluid density]] around the body, the [[fluid velocity]] and an associated reference area. A lifting body is a [[foil (fluid mechanics)|foil]] or a complete foil-bearing body such as a [[fixed-wing aircraft]]. {{math|''C''<sub>L</sub>}} is a function of the [[Angle of attack|angle]] of the body to the flow, its [[Reynolds number]] and its [[Mach number]]. The section lift coefficient {{math|''c''<sub>l</sub>}} refers to the dynamic lift characteristics of a [[two-dimensional]] foil section, with the reference area replaced by the foil [[Chord (aircraft)|chord]].<ref name=Clancy>{{cite book|last=Clancy|first=L. J.|title=Aerodynamics|year=1975|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|location=New York|at=Sections 4.15 & 5.4}}</ref><ref name=TWS1.2>[[Ira H. Abbott|Abbott, Ira H.]], and Doenhoff, Albert E. von: ''Theory of Wing Sections''. Section 1.2</ref>