Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 4 / 8E (Classical Dynamics)

The Poisson bracket is $\{f,g\}=\mathbf{r}\cdot (\nabla f\times \nabla g)$. Since $\nabla {\rho }^2=2\mathbf{r}$, the scalar triple product vanishes, andEquivalently, check the identity on $x,y,z$ and extend to every polynomial using the Leibniz rule. Thus ${\rho }^2$ is a Casimir function of a Poisson manifold of this rotational Lie-Poisson structure on R3.

The Hamilton's equations areLinearization about $(1,0,0)$ gives $\dot{\alpha }=0$, $\dot{\beta }=(C-A)\gamma$, $\dot{\gamma }=(A-B)\beta$. The two nonzero exponents satisfy ${\lambda }^2=(C-A)(A-B)$. ConsequentlyWhen $A$ is outside this interval the transverse motion is oscillatory. At equality the linearization is nonhyperbolic; if just one transverse coupling vanishes, the other permits secular linear growth, rather than an exponential instability. This is the familiar intermediate-axis instability described by the Euler equations for a torque-free rigid body.