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: [[Moderator]]s [[Absorb (Physics)|absorb]] some of the [[energy]] of fast moving [[neutron]]s which slows them down to a [[speed]] where they are called [[Thermal Neutron|thermal neutron]]s which are able to be captured by [[Nuclear Fission|fissionable]] [[isotope]]s.
: Without a [[moderator]] in a [[Nuclear Reactor|nuclear reactor]] the [[neutron]]s released from each [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event would be moving too fast to cause a second [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event so a [[Nuclear Chain Reaction|chain reaction]] would not be possible.
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|[[File:Moderator.png|center|400px]]
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:left;" |As a fast moving [[neutron]] passes through a [[moderator]] it collides with [[atom]]s in the [[moderator]] passing on some of their [[energy]] and slowing down. After several collisions a [[neutron]] becomes slow enough to be captured by a [[Nuclear Fission|fissionable]] [[isotope]]. At this point it is called a [[Thermal Neutron|thermal neutron]].
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