How are Neutrons accelerated in nuclear fission reactions?
Neutrons are uncharged particles. They cannot be accelerated by magnetic or electric fields. Neutrons produced (born) in a nuclear reaction have some initial kinetic energy. They move with some speed. Splitting up of a single heavy atom into two lighter atoms in fission will lead to the emission of two or more fast neutrons. These will further produced fission in other fuel atoms leading to a chain reaction. They can be slowed down (decelerated) by making them pass through suitable moderators, as in a fission reactor using U-235 as fuel. Thus a source of neutrons produces fast neutrons. They cannot be further accelerated.
