What is the role of centrifugal force in propeller counterweights?

The role of centrifugal force in propeller counterweights is primarily to increase the blade angle. In constant-speed propeller systems, as the engine speed increases, the counterweights act due to the effect of centrifugal force created by the rotating motion of the propeller blades. This force helps to move the blades toward a higher pitch angle, which is necessary to maintain optimal performance and engine efficiency at varying speeds.

As the propeller speed increases, the centrifugal force overcomes the resistance provided by the springs or hydraulic mechanisms that are trying to keep the blades at a lower pitch angle. By increasing the pitch angle, centrifugal force helps reduce the propeller's drag and maximizes thrust, improving the aircraft's performance during high-speed flight.

In this context, options that suggest a decrease in blade angle, stabilization of the propeller during high speeds, or simply adjusting pitch without specifying the nature of the adjustment do not fully capture the essential role that centrifugal force plays in the operation of counterweighted propellers.