In nuclear reactors, subatomic particles called neutrons are slowed down by allowing them to collide with the atoms of a moderator material, such as carbon atoms, which are 12 times as massive as neutrons. If the neutron has an initial speed of 1.0×107 m/s, what will be its speed after collision?

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To determine the speed of the neutron after a collision, we need to use the principle of conservation of momentum. This principle states that the total momentum of a system before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision, assuming no external forces act on the system.

In this case, we have a neutron with an initial speed of 1.0×10^7 m/s and a carbon atom at rest. Since the carbon atom is much more massive than the neutron, we can assume it remains at rest after the collision.

To solve for the final speed of the neutron, we need to calculate its final momentum. The momentum of an object is defined as the product of its mass and velocity.

Initial momentum of the neutron (before collision):
P_initial = mass_neutron * velocity_neutron

Final momentum of the neutron (after collision):
P_final = mass_neutron * velocity_final

Since momentum is conserved, we can equate the initial and final momenta:
P_initial = P_final

mass_neutron * velocity_neutron = mass_neutron * velocity_final

Since the mass of the neutron remains constant, we can simplify the equation:
velocity_neutron = velocity_final

Therefore, the final speed of the neutron will be the same as its initial speed, which is 1.0×10^7 m/s.