Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2015/prelims/mathematics-iv/4/a/solution

Define the classical axial spin by the axial angular velocity of a symmetric top,
Since is a unit vector, . The vector triple product identity applied to gives
The inertia tensor multiplies the component perpendicular to by and the component along by . Therefore the angular momentum about is
Its time derivative is
because .
The gravitational torque about is , and the applied torque is . The support force acts at , so has zero torque about . The angular momentum equation is consequently

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