Final answer:
The slightly tilted wings of airplanes deflect oncoming air downward to produce lift.
Step-by-step explanation:
The slightly tilted wings of airplanes deflect oncoming air downward to produce lift. The upper surface of the wing is longer, causing air to flow faster over it. This creates a lower pressure on top of the wing, resulting in a net upward force or lift. Wings can also gain lift by pushing air downward, using the conservation of momentum principle or Newton's third law.