Which term describes the up and down movement of an aircraft's wings?

The correct term for the up and down movement of an aircraft's wings is roll. Roll refers to the rotation of the aircraft around its longitudinal axis, which runs from the nose to the tail. When an aircraft rolls, one wing goes up while the other goes down, allowing for turns and bank angles during flight. This movement is primarily controlled by the ailerons located on the wings' trailing edges, which alter the lift on each wing.

Yaw and pitch describe different movements: yaw is the left-to-right movement around the vertical axis, while pitch refers to the up-and-down movement around the lateral axis—an angle that affects the aircraft's nose in relation to its tail. Thrust, on the other hand, refers to the forward force produced by engines, propelling the aircraft through the air. Understanding these terms is essential for grasping how aircraft maneuver and maintain stability during flight.