In a certain region, the gravitational field is given by E = (5 N/kg ) i + (12 N/kg ) j . Determine the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on a particle of mass 2 kg placed at the origin.

Step-by-step solution

The gravitational field vector is given by E = 5 i + 12 j N/kg. The magnitude of the gravitational field is: | E | = 5^2 + 12^2 = 25 + 144 = 169 = 13 N/kg The gravitational force acting on a particle of mass m is given by F = m E . The magnitude of the gravitational force is: | F | = m| E | Substituting m = 2 kg and | E | = 13 N/kg: | F | = 2 13 = 26 N