Past exam of the classical mechanics course of the University of Oxford 2023 2 b iii Solution 2026-10-25
Let , andHere and are constant. The first two of Euler's equations give and . Combining them producesMultiplication by the integrating factor gives, for ,For completeness, instead gives . These formulas describe a symmetric top under constant transverse body torque.
The stated initial conditions require and . They give , and . Substitution and simplification yieldTaking the real part and imaginary part, the angular velocity in the principal body frame isIts value at is the required initial condition; differentiating the first two components verifies both forced Euler's equations.