The rear propeller on the back of a helicopter is called a tail rotor. Its primary purpose is to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor, which tends to cause the helicopter to spin in the opposite direction of the main rotor's rotation.
Here's how the tail rotor works:
As the main rotor of a helicopter spins, it creates a powerful force known as torque. This torque tries to rotate the helicopter body in a direction opposite to the main rotor's rotation. If left unchecked, this torque would make it difficult or even impossible for the pilot to control the helicopter.
The tail rotor is positioned at the end of the helicopter's tail boom and spins in a vertical plane. By adjusting the pitch of the tail rotor blades, the pilot can generate thrust that opposes the torque produced by the main rotor. This counteracts the spinning effect of the main rotor and helps stabilize the helicopter's yaw (rotation around the vertical axis).
The tail rotor works in conjunction with the main rotor to provide directional control to the helicopter. By varying the thrust produced by the tail rotor, the pilot can yaw the helicopter left or right, allowing them to change the helicopter's heading and maneuver it effectively.
Without a tail rotor, a helicopter would experience uncontrollable spinning, making it highly unstable and difficult to fly. The tail rotor plays a crucial role in maintaining the helicopter's stability and enabling precise control during flight.
