Neutron absorption is the process wherein an atomic nucleus will absorb a neutron. Many different atomic nuclei will do this, and different nuclei will present a larger of smaller target for the neutron, as you might have guessed. This is the neutron absorption cross section for the material, and it varies as the material does and as the kinetic energy of the neutron does, as well. You may have figured out that there are many different resulting products or outcomes that can be seen from neutron absorption. It is neutron absorption that powers up a chain reaction, so let's look at that aspect of this phenomenon.
In a nuclear reactor, some spontaneous fissions will release neutrons, and these neutrons will, if the control rods are pulled out sufficiently, begin a chain reaction. The nuclear fuel, usually either uranium or plutonium, will absorb a neutron (after some slowing down of that neutron), and they'll fission as a result. These fissions will release more neutrons, which will be absorbed and will create more fissions, which will release more neutrons, etc. A neutron released from a fission event will have a high kinetic energy; it will be moving very quickly. It might be absorbed, but will have a higher probability of being absorbed if it is slowed down, or thermalized. The moderator in a reactor, usually water, does this slowing down of the neutrons. The slower neutrons have a much higher probability of being absorbed and continuing the chain. Fission by neutron absorption is the mechanism by which a nuclear chain reaction is maintained in a nuclear reactor.
The neutron.
you already partly answered your own question. Neutrons.
neutron
The neutrons simply collide with graphite atoms and get slowed by impacts. Some get absorbed but not too many, and it is important to have very pure graphite to avoid absorption by other elements in the graphite as impurities.
No, a positron cannot react with a neutron in any kind of annihilation reaction. An electron and a positron can, and the same with a neutron and an anti-neutron, but it does not occur between a positron and a neutron.
lead
The absorption of a free moving neutron by the atom's nucleus
neutron moderation
neutron moderation
Neutron moderation
Ram K. Tripathi has written: 'Universal parameterization of absorption cross sections' -- subject(s): Mathematical models, Ions, Cross sections (Nuclear physics), Absorption cross sections, Heavy ion collisions, Absorption, Neutron cross sections 'Can Bose condensation of alpha particles be observed in heavy ion collisions' -- subject(s): Collisions (Nuclear physics), Bose-Einstein condensation, Heavy ions, Alpha rays 'New parameterization of neutron absorption cross sections' -- subject(s): Absorption cross sections, Neutron cross sections, Parameterization
When it is mixed or alloyed with beryllium, polonium can be a neutron source: beryllium releases a neutron upon absorption of an alpha particle that is supplied by 210Po. It has been used in this capacity as a neutron trigger or initiator for nuclear weapons
Yes, by introducing a neutron absorber such as boron. In a nuclear reactor this is done by inserting the control rods
The 2 most common materials are cadmium or boron, due to their large neutron absorption crosssection.
the absorption of a free-moving neutron by the atom's nucleus
Electron capture is the absorption of an electron by an atomic nucleus if that nucleus is neutron poor. An electron is captured, usually from an inner electron shell of that atom, and it will convert a proton in the nucleus into a neutron. We know that a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron in neutron decay, so it might be looked at as something of an opposite nuclear reaction where a proton and an electron combine to form a neutron.
The nuclei of U-235 and also Pu-239 (which is made by neutron absorption of U-238)