What role does centrifugal force play in flight during a turn?

Centrifugal force is a critical concept in understanding the dynamics of an airplane during a turn. When an aircraft executes a turn, the change in direction creates a force that acts outward from the center of the turn. This is known as centrifugal force. In level flight, lift must counteract both the weight of the aircraft and the forces acting on it due to turns.

During a turn, while lift is generated primarily to counteract weight, a portion of the lift also contributes to counterbalance the centrifugal force. As the aircraft banks into the turn, the direction of lift changes, allowing a part of it to counteract this outward pull. If the lift is not sufficient to balance these forces, the aircraft would experience a descent or a downward motion.

Understanding this interplay between lift and centrifugal force is crucial for maintaining control and ensuring safe flight operations during turning maneuvers. The correct portrayal of this relationship in option C reflects the fundamental mechanics involved in aerial maneuvers, highlighting how lift is effectively divided to manage both weight and centrifugal force during a turn.