Calculate the velocity of a thermal neutron Why do we call n

Calculate the velocity of a thermal neutron. Why do we call neutrons at these velocities \"thermal\"?

Solution

the kinetic energy of the thermal neutrons is,

Ep = (1/2)mvp²

(1/2)kT = (1/2)mvp²

thus, the most probable speed is,

vp = sqrt[2kT/m]

But, vp = vT at room temperature, so the velocity of thermal neutrons is,

v_T =  sqrt[2kT/m]

A thermal neutron means that it is a a free neutron. the neutrons called as thermal neutrons because they are permeating at room temperature and they will not absorbed energy levels about 0.025 eV, at room temperature after number of collisions within the nucleus of the material.