The atomic bomb is also known as the nuclear bomb and the Hydrogen bomb is known as a Thermonuclear bomb. The basic difference between an atomic bomb and a hydrogen bomb is that in Hydrogen bomb fission as well as fusion reaction takes place while in Atomic bomb only fusion reaction takes place. The hydrogen bomb is more powerful than the atomic bomb.
This post includes:
- Introduction
- Comparison table
- Definitions
- Explanation
- Review
Hydrogen Bomb Vs Atomic Bomb
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Atom bomb |
Hydrogen bomb |
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Principle |
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| It is assembled on the principle that if a fission chain reaction is uncontrolled than the energy released will be enormous. | It is assembled on the principle of fusion. |
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Amount of energy |
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| The heat energy released by the atom bomb is less compared to the hydrogen bomb. | The heat energy released by hydrogen bomb is far greater than that of the hydrogen bomb, |
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Rate of destruction |
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| In an atomic bomb explosion, the heat energy released by it can destroy a small city. | The heat energy released by the explosion of the first hydrogen bomb was equivalent to 1 million tons to TNT. Thus it is more destructive than the atom bomb. |
What is Atom Bomb?
An atom bomb is a nuclear weapon; its assembly is based on the principle that if a fission chain reaction is uncontrolled then the energy released will be enormous. Subcritical masses of uranium are placed at the two ends of hollow tubes, such that the two masses can be brought suddenly together by igniting an explosive material. When the two masses combine, they give rise to a critical mass and an uncontrollable fission chain reaction starts and the bomb explodes.
In an atomic bomb explosion, the heat energy produced by it can destroy a small city. The explosion of an atomic bomb also produces shock waves that move with very high speed and travel several miles and destroy the buildings they come across. the nuclear explosion also releases large quantities of radiation.
This radiation can be very harmful to live beings. The effect of the radiation remains in the atmosphere for several weeks.
What is a Hydrogen Bomb?
A hydrogen bomb is also a war weapon. The heat energy released in the explosion of a hydrogen bomb is far greater than that released from the explosion of an atomic bomb. The principle of the hydrogen bomb assembly is based on the fusion reaction. The hydrogen bomb needs a tremendous amount of heat fro its detonation. That is why it is also called a thermonuclear bomb.
The required heat is obtained by a fission bomb. The first hydrogen bomb explodes on an experimental basis in 1952. This yielded an enormous amount of energy. This was found to be equivalent to 1 million tons of TNT.
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Summary:
- The atomic bomb is powerful bomb in which a destructive amount of energy released during nuclear fission reaction, while the Hydrogen bomb is a powerful bomb in which huge energy released during nuclear fission as well as nuclear fusion reaction.
- The atom bomb is comparatively simpler than a hydrogen bomb.
- In a Hydrogen bomb, both reactions like fission and fusion take place while in Atomic Bom Only fission reaction takes place.
