Which type of drag is a result of the airfoil developing lift?

Induced drag is a type of drag that arises as a byproduct of lift generation by an airfoil, such as a wing. When an aircraft wing creates lift, it does so by altering the airflow around it. This flow creates eddies and vortices, particularly at the wingtips, as high-pressure air from below the wing moves to the low-pressure area above the wing. The resultant disturbances in the airflow lead to a reduction in the overall efficiency of the wing, resulting in induced drag.

Unlike parasite drag, which is primarily associated with the shape of the aircraft and the effects of air against its surface, induced drag is specifically linked to the phenomenon of lift. As the angle of attack increases to generate more lift, the induced drag also increases. This relationship emphasizes how induced drag is inherently connected to the lift produced by the wing, making it distinct from other types of drag, such as skin friction drag, which relates to the smoothness of the surface, and form drag, which concerns the shape of the object moving through the air.