Final answer:
Dihedral angle provides lateral stability for airplanes by making the wings tilt upwards at their tips, which helps maintain balance and counteract rolling movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dihedral is used to stabilize the airplane about the lateral axis. The concept of dihedral refers to the angle that the airplane's wings make relative to the horizontal plane. If you look at the aircraft from the front or rear, wings with dihedral angle tilt upward at their tips.
This configuration contributes to the airplane's lateral stability, which is the aircraft's ability to resist rolling movements and return to level flight after a disturbance. This is essential for maintaining balance, especially during turns or when encountering turbulence.