What is the primary purpose of the tail rotor system in a helicopter?

The primary purpose of the tail rotor system in a helicopter is to counteract the torque effect generated by the main rotor. In helicopters, the main rotor creates a significant amount of torque that causes the body of the helicopter to rotate in the opposite direction. Without the tail rotor, this torque would result in uncontrollable yaw (rotation around the vertical axis) that could make flying the helicopter highly challenging, if not impossible.

The tail rotor achieves this by providing horizontal thrust that counterbalances the undesired rotation. By adjusting the pitch of the tail rotor blades, the pilot can modulate the amount of thrust produced. This allows for precise control over the helicopter's yaw motion, enabling stable flight and smooth directional changes.

The other options may relate to helicopter operation in different ways, but they do not directly address the specific function of the tail rotor in relation to the torque produced by the main rotor.