Answer:
5 m/s
Explanation:
mass of SUV (M1) = 1.80 x 10^{3} kg = 1800 kg
velocity of SUV (V1) = 15 m/s
mass of car (M2) = 9 x 10^{2} kg = 900 kg
velocity of car (V2) = 15 m/s
let the direction of motion eastward ( to the right ) be positive while the direction of motion westward (to the left ) be negative, therefore
velocity of SUV (V1) = 15 m/s
velocity of car (V2) = -15 m/s
now applying the conservation of momentum
(M1)(V1) + (M2)(V2) = (M1 + M2) x Vf
where Vf is the final velocity after collision
(1800 x 15) + (900 x (-15)) = (1800 + 900) x Vf
27000 - 13500 = 2700Vf
13500 = 2700 Vf
Vf = 5 m/s