A Question about Frictional Forces

[peterpam89]

Homework Statement

A horizontal force of 15 N pushes a .50 kg book against a vertical wall. The book is initially at rest. If the coefficient of static friction= 0.6 and the coefficient of kinetic friction = 0.40, what is the acceleration of the book?

Homework Equations

F=ma
static friction= coefficient of static friction x normal force
kinetic friction= coefficient of kinetic friction x normal force

The Attempt at a Solution

First, I drew a free body diagram of a rectangle next to the wall. To the right, I had the force 15 N pointing towards the rectangle (the force exerted on the book). To the left, I had a force - 15 pointing towards the rectangle (the force exerted on the book by the wall). Pointing in the down direction, I had a vector mg. In the upward the direction the force is equal to the frictional force.

Thus, the force in the x direction equals 0.

Ff-MG= MAy
Thus, Ay= (Ff-MG)/M

Ff= coefficient of kinetic friction * normal force

For some reason, I'm not getting a good answer. Can someone tell me where I am going wrong? Thanks!

 

[PhanthomJay]

The maximum static friction force at the point of pending motion is (coef. friction)*N. The actual static friction force may be different. Does the block move?

 

[peterpam89]

No it is not! I get it now! Thank you thank you thank you!