(i) Consider a rigid body with principal moments of inertia I1,I2,I3. Derive Euler's equations of torque-free motion,
I1ω˙1=(I2−I3)ω2ω3,I2ω˙2=(I3−I1)ω3ω1,I3ω˙3=(I1−I2)ω1ω2,
with components of the angular velocity ω=(ω1,ω2,ω3) given in the body frame.
(ii) Use Euler's equations to show that the energy E and the square of the total angular momentum L2 of the body are conserved.
(iii) Consider a torque-free motion of a symmetric top with I1=I2=21I3. Show that in the body frame the vector of angular velocity ω precesses about the body-fixed e3 axis with constant angular frequency equal to ω3.