Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 11: Problem 14

Why does a helicopter with a single main rotor generally have a second small rotor on its tail?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: A helicopter has a second small rotor on its tail to counteract the torque effect caused by the main rotor's rotation, maintain stability, and provide control over the helicopter's yaw motion. The tail rotor prevents the helicopter from spinning out of control and is crucial for maneuvering during hovering, takeoff, and landing.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to the helicopter rotors

A helicopter operates by generating lift and propulsion through the rotary motion of one or more rotor blades. A typical helicopter has two main rotor systems: the main rotor and the tail rotor. The main rotor is responsible for generating lift and thrust to propel the helicopter upward and forward. The tail rotor is smaller and serves a different purpose, which we will explain in the following steps.
02

Torque effect and the need for a tail rotor

Initially, when the main rotor turns to generate lift, it causes the helicopter's body to experience an opposite reaction torque according to Newton's third law of motion (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction). This torque makes the helicopter's body want to spin in the opposite direction of the rotor. This spinning motion is undesirable and needs to be counteracted to allow stable flight.
03

Tail rotor's purpose: Counteracting torque

The tail rotor's primary function is to counteract the torque effect produced by the main rotor's rotation. The tail rotor generates a sideward thrust, opposite to the helicopter's body rotation, thereby balancing the helicopter and preventing it from spinning out of control. This anti-torque force allows the helicopter to maintain its heading and achieve a stable hovering or forward flight.
04

Tail rotor as a control mechanism

Another essential role of the tail rotor is to act as a control mechanism. By changing the pitch or the speed of the tail rotor blades, a pilot can control the helicopter's yaw motion, meaning the rotation around the vertical axis. This control is crucial for maneuvering the helicopter, especially during hovering, takeoff, and landing. In conclusion, the tail rotor on a helicopter is necessary to counteract the torque effect caused by the main rotor's rotation, maintain stability, and provide control over the helicopter's yaw motion. Without the tail rotor, the helicopter would be difficult to control and prone to dangerous spinning during flight.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

You have a meter stick that balances at the \(55-\mathrm{cm}\) mark. Is your meter stick homogeneous?

A boy weighing \(60.0 \mathrm{lb}\) is playing on a plank. The plank weighs \(30.0 \mathrm{lb}\), is uniform, is \(8.00 \mathrm{ft}\) long, and lies on two supports, one \(2.00 \mathrm{ft}\) from the left end and the other \(2.00 \mathrm{ft}\) from the right end. a) If the boy is \(3.00 \mathrm{ft}\) from the left end, what force is exerted by each support? b) The boy moves toward the right end. How far can he go before the plank will tip?

A trapdoor on a stage has a mass of \(19.2 \mathrm{~kg}\) and a width of \(1.50 \mathrm{~m}\) (hinge side to handle side). The door can be treated as having uniform thickness and density. A small handle on the door is \(1.41 \mathrm{~m}\) away from the hinge side. \(\mathrm{A}\) rope is tied to the handle and used to raise the door. At one instant, the rope is horizontal, and the trapdoor has been partly opened so that the handle is \(1.13 \mathrm{~m}\) above the floor. What is the tension, \(T,\) in the rope at this time?

A sculptor and his assistant are carrying a wedge-shaped marble slab up a flight of stairs, as shown in the flight of stairs, as shown in the figure. The density of the marble is uniform. Both are lifting straight up as they hold the slab completely stationary for a moment. Does the sculptor have to exert more force than the assistant to keep the slab stationary? Explain.

A 2.00 -m-long diving board of mass \(12.0 \mathrm{~kg}\) is \(3.00 \mathrm{~m}\) above the water. It has two attachments holding it in place. One is located at the very back end of the board, and the other is \(25.0 \mathrm{~cm}\) away from that end. a) Assuming that the board has uniform density, find the forces acting on each attachment (take the downward direction to be positive). b) If a diver of mass \(65.0 \mathrm{~kg}\) is standing on the front end, what are the forces acting on the two attachments?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Scientific Method Physics

Read Explanation

Physical Quantities And Units

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation

Nuclear Physics

Read Explanation

Kinematics Physics

Read Explanation

Electrostatics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free