The Symmetric Representation of the Generalized Rigid Body Equations and Symplectic Reduction

Abstract

We show that a symplectic reduction of the symmetric representation of the generalized $n$-dimensional rigid body equations yields the $n$-dimensional Euler equation. This result provides an alternative to the more elaborate relationship between these equations established by Bloch, Crouch, Marsden, and Ratiu. Specifically, we exploit the inherent $\mathsf{Sp}(2n,\mathbb{R})$-symmetry in the symmetric representation to present its relationship with the Euler equation via symplectic reduction facilitated by the dual pair recently developed by Skerritt and Vizman.