Description
1. (20 points) Derive Euler’s equations from the Lagrange equations of motion.
2. (25 points) A uniform rectangular block has mass M and sides 2a, 2b and 2c. Find the
principal moments of inertia of the block
i) at its center of mass,
ii) at the center of a face of area 4ab.
Find the moment of inertia of the block
i) about a space diagonal,
ii) about a diagonal of a face of area 4ab.
3. 2. (20 points) Consider the torque-free motion of an asymmetric rigid body with one point
fixed, show from Euler equations that L
2 and T (L and T are the angular momentum and kinetic
energy) are conserved.
4. (35 points) For the axially symmetric rigid body precessing uniformly in the absence of
torques, find analytical solutions for the Euler angles as a function of time.
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