Abstract: A tensor method for the derivation of the equations of rigid body dynamics, based on the concepts of continuum mechanics, is presented. The formula of time derivative of the inertia tensor with zero corotational rate is used to prove the equivalences of five methods, namely, Lagrange’s equations, Nielsen’s equations, Gibbs-Appell’s equations, Kane’s equations and the generalized momentum type of Kane’s equations. Some differential identities on angular velocity and angular acceleration are given.

Key words: rigid body dynamics, dynamical equation, tensor