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The term atomic bomb, nuclear bomb, and hydrogen bomb are confused/confusing. Atomic bomb and nuclear bomb are generic and basically mean any bomb powered by atomic/nuclear energy fission or fusion. Hydrogen bomb specifically means a bomb powered by fusion. Some specific variants, using correct terminology are:

  • Fission bomb, a bomb fueled by uranium and/or plutonium
  • Fusion bomb, a bomb fueled by hydrogen isotopes (however most fusion bombs 90% of their yield is actually still due to fission of uranium-238 in the radiation casing surrounding the fusion fuel assembly.)
  • Boosted fission bomb, a fission bomb with a hollow sealed core filled with tritium gas. When the fission bomb is detonated the temperature/pressure ignites tritium fusion in the gas, which produces an intense flash of high energy neutrons causing additional fission in the (now vapor) fissile core material, boosting the yield.
  • Neutron bomb, a fusion bomb using a neutron transparent material for the radiation casing instead of uranium-238. A neutron bomb typically has only 10% the yield of a similar design standard fusion bomb but has much less fallout, but kills by prompt neutron radiation instead of blast and fire.
  • etc.
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What is the difference between an atomic bomb and a nuclear weapon?

An atomic bomb is a type of nuclear weapon that releases energy through nuclear fission (splitting of atomic nuclei). Nuclear weapon is a broader term that encompasses atomic bombs, as well as hydrogen bombs which release energy through nuclear fusion (combining atomic nuclei).


Is an atomic bomb or a nuclear bomb more powerful?

The terms "atomic bomb" and "nuclear bomb" are general terms and can pretty much be used interchangeably. That said, there isn't any difference between them, and one is not more powerful than the other in that light.


Which is more destructive a nuclear bomb or a hydrogen bomb?

A hydrogen bomb (thermonuclear bomb) is more destructive than a regular nuclear bomb (fission bomb). Hydrogen bombs release much larger amounts of energy and have the potential to create significantly more devastation and damage.


What is the different between atomic bomb and hydrogen bombs?

The main difference between atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs is the source of their energy. Atomic bombs rely on nuclear fission (splitting atoms), while hydrogen bombs use a two-stage process involving both fission and fusion (combining atoms). Hydrogen bombs are more powerful and destructive than atomic bombs.


What is the difference between a hydrogen bomb and a nuclear bomb?

Gunpowder, TNT, C4 plastic explosive, nitroglycerin, etc. all release chemical energy that has nothing to do with the nuclei of the atoms in the chemicals. Any 'bomb' that makes an explosion with nuclear energy is a 'nuclear' bomb. The "Hydrogen Bomb" is one of them. So far, devices have been built and tested that use the atomic nucleus to make explosions in two different general ways: -- "fission" . . . the nuclear energy is released when one heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter ones. This device is popularly known as the "Atomic Bomb". -- "fusion" . . . the nuclear energy is released when two light atomic nuclei join together to form a single one. This device is popularly known as the "Hydrogen Bomb".

Related Questions

Maximam dengrus bomb between nuclear bomb or hydrogen bomb?

If you are asking which has the maximum danger, a hydrogen bomb is one type of nuclear bomb. In general, nuclear bombs can be fission (called atomic) or fusion (hydrogen) A fusion bomb is larger than an fission bomb, and actually uses a fission bomb to start the fusion reaction.


What is the difference between the hydrogen bomb and the nuclear bomb?

"Nucear bomb" is very broad term, and encompases all bombs or weapons which utilize the explosive potential of specific elements, either by fusion or fission.The classic "nuclear bombs" use uranium or plutonium in a fission reaction to produce an explosion, where as a hydrogen bomb uses hydrogen, or specific isotopes of it (deuterium or tritium, either together or with another light-weight element) to produce a similar explosion (though usually larger in size), by mean of nuclear fusion.So technicaly, a hydrogen bomb is a type of nuclear bomb.


What is the difference between an atomic bomb and a nuclear weapon?

An atomic bomb is a type of nuclear weapon that releases energy through nuclear fission (splitting of atomic nuclei). Nuclear weapon is a broader term that encompasses atomic bombs, as well as hydrogen bombs which release energy through nuclear fusion (combining atomic nuclei).


Is an atomic bomb or a nuclear bomb more powerful?

The terms "atomic bomb" and "nuclear bomb" are general terms and can pretty much be used interchangeably. That said, there isn't any difference between them, and one is not more powerful than the other in that light.


What is the difference between the atomic bomb and the hydrogen bomb?

fission vs fusion


Which is more destructive a nuclear bomb or a hydrogen bomb?

A hydrogen bomb (thermonuclear bomb) is more destructive than a regular nuclear bomb (fission bomb). Hydrogen bombs release much larger amounts of energy and have the potential to create significantly more devastation and damage.


What is the difference between the atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb?

The difference between an A-Bomb and H-Bomb is the energy reaction inside them, one of them is nuclear fusion and the other one is nuclear fission. A-Bombs contain a unstable nuclei such as Uranium 235, whiles H-Bombs contain light stable isotopes of hydrogen and sometimes helium. Nuclear fusion is the merging of atoms/particles, whilst nuclear fission is the splitting and break down of a big unstable nuclei.


What does the h in h-bomb stand for?

The "h" in "h-bomb" stands for "hydrogen." The hydrogen bomb is a type of nuclear weapon that uses nuclear fusion to release energy.


What is another name for fusion bomb?

hydrogen bomb, or a nuclear bomb


What is an hydrogen bomb?

A hydrogen bomb is a nuclear weapon that releases atomic energy by union of light(hydrogen) nuclear at high temperatures to form helium.


What is the difference between the nuclear reactions in a nuclear reactor and those in an atomic bomb?

Nuclear reactions in a nuclear reactor are controlled reactions. The reactions in the atomic bomb are not controlled reactions


Is there a difference between an atomic bomb and a nuclear bomb?

There isn't much difference in these terms. Both refer to nuclear weapons, and they are general terms that can pretty much be used interchangeably.