Final answer:
The shape of a wing contributes to flight by creating lift through the Bernoulli's principle and Newton's third law. The characteristic shape of a wing with a longer upper surface and a small upward tilt causes air to flow faster over the top, resulting in lower pressure and upward force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shape of a wing plays a crucial role in generating lift during flight. The characteristic shape of a wing, with a longer upper surface and a small upward tilt, causes air to flow faster over the top of the wing compared to the bottom. According to Bernoulli's principle, the faster-moving air creates a region of lower pressure on top of the wing, resulting in a net upward force or lift. Additionally, wings can also gain lift by pushing air downward, which follows Newton's third law of motion.