The flaps on the C172 are single-slot type flaps powered by the aircraft’s electrical system. The amount of flap lowered is measured in degrees, and in the C172, the different amounts include 10º, 20º, 30º, and in some earlier models 40º.
From first hand experience, putting down 40º of flap is almost always unnecessary due to the huge amount drag that it produces.
I mentioned above that the C172 has “slot” type flaps, specifically single-slot. I’ve included a diagram below of the different types of common flap systems utilized on a wide range of aircraft.
The difference between a slot flap and plain flap is that with a slotted flap, there is room for air to flow between the leading edge of the flap and trailing edge of the wing. In other words, air can flow between the wing and flap. WIth a plain flap, the flap simply drops down and is, in essence, an extension of the wing itself.
Slats are common on larger aircraft and you’ve probably seen them on commercial airliners. Slats act to maintain laminar airflow over the wing at a high angle of attack. Check out this diagram:
In the C172, the flaps are powered by an electric flap motor located in the wing. The system is protected by a 15 amp circuit breaker, labelled “FLAP”, in the cockpit. All diagrams are taken from From The Ground Up.
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