Calculating Force Components for Conservative Potential Energy Function

[gcharles_42]

Homework Statement

A particle of mass m = 10 kg moves in space under the action of a conservative force. Its potential energy is given by
PE = 2xyz + 3z2 + 4yx + 16
where PE is in Joules and x, y, and z are in meters. Calculate the x-, y-, and z-components of the force on the particle when it is at the position x = 18 m, y = 13 m, and z = 19 m.

Homework Equations

F= - d/dx (PE)

The Attempt at a Solution

So far I took the partial derivatives in terms of x, y, and z but I don't know how to incorporate the object's weight. I feel like the weight is important since they mentioned it.

 

[haruspex]

There is no other reason to suppose the mass is relevant. The force (and hence the PE) may be unrelated to mass. Sometimes they throw in redundant info as an extra test of your understanding.