Neutron Moderator
A neutron moderator is a material that slows down neutrons in a nuclear reactor to increase the probability of nuclear fission. The moderator is placed in the reactor core and interacts with the neutrons, reducing their kinetic energy and increasing the likelihood of a successful collision with a fissile nucleus. The most commonly used neutron moderators are light water, heavy water, and graphite. Light water is the most widely used moderator in commercial nuclear power plants, while heavy water is used in some research reactors. Graphite is used in certain types of reactors, such as the RBMK reactors in the former Soviet Union. The effectiveness of a neutron moderator is measured by its moderation factor, which is the ratio of the number of neutrons that undergo a collision in the moderator to the number of neutrons that undergo a collision in a vacuum.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Storage: In space and astronautical engineering, storage refers to the process of preserving and maintaining various materials, equipment, and supplies in a safe and efficient manner. Storage is a critical aspect of space missions as it ensures that ... Read More >>
- GLONASS: GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a satellite-based navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces. It provides real-time positioning, velocity, and timing information to military and civilian users globall ... Read More >>
- Feedback: In the context of aerospace engineering, feedback refers to the process of using part of the output of a system to return it to the input which influences the operation of the system. This is a fundamental concept in control systems used in ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06