Thermal Neutron

A thermal neutron is a neutron that has slowed down to a low energy level, matching the average temperature of its surroundings, typically around room temperature. Because it moves at a slower pace, it has a higher probability of interacting with atomic nuclei in materials, which is important in nuclear reactions like fission in reactors. Essentially, thermal neutrons are "calm," slower particles that are more likely to be captured or cause reactions in materials, making them essential for controlled nuclear processes and neutron-based research.