What is the purpose of baffles in a fuel tank?

Baffles are critical components within a fuel tank designed specifically to prevent fuel surging during altitude changes, which can significantly affect aircraft stability and performance. When an aircraft undergoes maneuvers or changes in altitude, the fuel inside the tank can shift rapidly, leading to variations in fuel pressure and potentially causing the fuel system to become unbalanced. By incorporating baffles into the tank design, the movement of fuel is restricted, helping to stabilize the fuel's position and maintain a consistent flow to the fuel pumps. This stabilization is essential for reliable engine operation and enhances overall flight safety.

Other choices, while related to fuel tank operation, do not accurately describe the primary purpose of baffles in this context. For instance, increasing fuel quantity is not a function of baffles; they do not add fuel, but rather manage its movement. Similarly, while baffles can influence fuel flow indirectly by stabilizing the fuel, their primary purpose is not to enhance flow directly. Lastly, baffles are not utilized for separating different fuel types within the tank; that role is handled by other tank designs or systems specifically geared towards managing various fuel qualities.