Flux of protons and neutrons:

In the preceding discussion the reactions possible after the addition of air to reactor coolant holding hydrogen were elaborates.  These are Reactions (3-13), (3-14), and (3-16).  The associative rates of these reactions are of considerable importance.  Briefly, Reaction (3-13) is much more rapid than either of the others, and Reaction (3-16) is faster than Reaction (3-14).  Therefore, the series of reactions is as elaborates in the preceding sections. H₂ and O₂ react to form water. It undergoes an incomplete reaction along with N₂ to form small amounts of NH₃ if hydrogen remains. If O₂ remains after all the H₂ has been consumed, the O₂ - N₂ reaction generate nitric acid.

The flux of protons and neutrons within a nuclear reactor core region leads to various important nuclear reactions along with the constituent atoms of water.  Most of these reactions include oxygen isotopes and fast protons or neutrons.

In several cases, the absorption of a fast neutron through a nucleus is instantly followed through ejection of a proton.  Those reactions are known as neutron-proton or n-p reactions and are generally written (by using the ¹⁶O reaction to described) in the subsequent manner.

¹⁶₈O (n, p) ¹⁶₇N (t_1/2    = 7.13 seconds)                                 (3-17)