What characteristic of an airfoil contributes to its lift?

The camber of an airfoil is crucial in creating lift because it refers to the curvature of the airfoil's upper and lower surfaces. When air flows over the airfoil, the shape causes the air above the wing to travel faster than the air below it. According to Bernoulli's principle, this difference in speed results in lower pressure above the airfoil compared to the pressure below. The higher pressure beneath the wing creates an upward lift force.

In contrast, weight does not directly contribute to lift; it is a force that must be overcome for an aircraft to ascend. The drag coefficient relates to the aerodynamic resistance an object encounters and impacts efficiency rather than lift generation. The color of the airfoil, while it may affect thermal properties, has no significant effect on lift. Therefore, the camber is fundamentally significant in lift generation, making it the correct characteristic associated with this aerodynamic phenomenon.