Question

From the early history of the airplane by Orville and Wilbur Wright for two reasons, we decided to use two propellers. Which describes one of those reasons?

a) Greater quantity of air reaction
b) Larger pitch angle
c) Motor falling upon the pilot
d) Gyroscopic action neutralization

Answer 1

Option (d), The Wright brothers used two propellers on their aircraft to neutralize the gyroscopic action, which helped stabilize the aircraft by counteracting torque with an equal and opposite force as per Newton's third law.

Step-by-step explanation:

Orville and Wilbur Wright, the pioneers of aviation, utilized two propellers on their early airplane designs for several reasons. One reason for using two propellers is related to the neutralization of gyroscopic action. The gyroscopic effect, which is the tendency of a rotating body to maintain its orientation during rotation, could result in unwanted forces on the airplane. By using two propellers spinning in opposite directions, the Wright brothers were able to counteract these forces and stabilize their aircraft.

This concept relies on Newton's third law, which in the context of aviation states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In engineering terms, the rotation of one propeller could cause the airplane to experience a torque that could make it difficult to control. Having a second propeller rotating in the opposite direction balanced this torque, contributing to the overall stability and controllability of the Wright brothers' aircraft.