What effect does increasing temperature have on air density in aerodynamics?

Increasing temperature has a direct impact on air density due to the fundamental relationship between temperature, pressure, and density described by the Ideal Gas Law. As the temperature of a gas increases, its molecules become more energetic and spread apart, which leads to a decrease in density.

In terms of aerodynamics, lower air density at higher temperatures can affect aircraft performance. For example, a decrease in air density results in reduced lift generated by the wings and may require longer takeoff distances and a higher groundspeed for aircraft to achieve the same performance metrics. This is critically important for pilots and aerodynamics engineers to understand, as they must account for changes in atmospheric conditions when planning flights or designing aircraft.

Thus, increasing temperature leads to a decrease in air density, confirming that option B is the correct choice.