Whats the difference between an atomic bomb and a hydrogen bomb?

Answer by  yeswanth (235)

Atomic bomb's mechanism is nuclear fission whereas Hydrogen bomb's mechanism is nuclear fusion as in Sun. Splitting of ions into many as chain reaction is called nuclear fission. The Excess of energy is expelled during this process makes atomic bomb. But when two Hydrogen ion combine to form one Helium ion, this is known as hydrogen bomb.

Answer by  crathes (46)

An atom bomb uses large atoms.... Uranium (235) or Plutonium. Both are triggered by high explosive. A hydrogen bomb fuses the lightest atoms (hydrogen) into helium, with much greater energy release. Gravity triggers the fusion reaction in the sun while on earth a hydrogen bomb is triggered by an atomic explosion.

Answer by  cubedbee (155)

Atomic bombs produce their explosion from nuclear fission only, while hydrogen bombs use nuclear fission to trigger a nuclear fusion reaction in hydrogen, producing a bigger total explosion.