What is the difference between an Atomic Bomb and a Hydrogen Bomb?

When you say atomic bomb, this is a type of bomb that will be created with the use of uranium and plutonium. This would need fission so that it can be effective. If you are not familiar with what fission is, this is the process by which an atom would break apart. The hydrogen bomb, on the other hand, is different in the sense that it will rely on fusion.

This means that two atoms would need to be placed together so that a completely new atom will be formed. Take note that atomic bombs are going to be bigger. Hydrogen bombs are going to have a lower mass than atomic bombs.

Atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb are usually considered as weapons of mass destruction, but one of the differences between the two is their strength and the havoc they are capable of wrecking when they are used. Although, similar radioactive substances are used in making the two, the mechanism that brings about their formation differs.

Atomic bombs adopt the principle of atomic fission which means the atomic nucleus of the radioactive element in it will continue to split into smaller ones. In contrast, hydrogen bombs adopt the principle of atomic fusion which means more atomic nuclei of some radioactive elements combine to form bigger atomic nuclei.

By virtue of these principles, hydrogen bombs produce more energy compared to atomic bombs. In fact, it has been researched that the amount of energy produced by hydrogen bombs is three to four times greater than that of atomic bombs. However, it doesn't require any logical thinking to say that hydrogen bombs are powerful than atomic bombs.