Quote:
Originally Posted by McBeck
Point 2) : Yes, you are correct that this is the effect, however the reason is critical here. The reason it speeds up the reaction is because it slows down the neutrons. If the neutrons are not slowed down, they will not cause a fission reaction. The water in this reactor served as absorbing neutrons, thus it remove the trigger for fission reaction and that water was then replaced with something which introduced a trigger for reaction.
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Liquid water and steam are also moderators. This is what classical PWR and BWRs use in fact as the moderator.