How does the angle of attack influence lift?

An increase in angle of attack generally increases lift because it enhances the airflow over the wings, creating a greater pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces. When an aircraft's wings are tilted upward relative to the oncoming airflow, the air has to travel faster over the top surface than the bottom surface, leading to lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below it. This pressure difference generates lift, thereby allowing the aircraft to rise.

However, it's important to note that while increasing the angle of attack can increase lift up to a certain point, there is a critical angle beyond which an increase may lead to stall conditions. Thus, while the initial rise in angle of attack contributes positively to lift generation, the understanding of lift dynamics also includes the limitation marked by the stall angle. The other options do not capture this fundamental relationship between angle of attack and lift accurately.