eli5 why are flaps extended during takeoff if they slow down the plane?

Question

eli5 why are flaps extended during takeoff if they slow down the plane?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

flaps may slow down the plane some but they also provide more surface area for lift to be generated. when the plane is running on the ground and there are frictional forces acting on the wheels, it may take a loooong time for the plane to reach the necessary speed to take off if there weren’t flaps.

so essentially flaps allow for planes to take off and land at lower speeds. they also allow for airports to have shorter runways.