is there a differance betwean neacular and atomic boms?

Answer 1

From the site nuclear weapons archive

nuclearweaponarchive.org/Nwfaq/Nfaq0.html

A variety of names are used for weapons that release energy through nuclear reactions - atomic bombs (A-bombs), hydrogen bombs (H-bombs), nuclear weapons, fission bombs, fusion bombs, thermonuclear weapons (not to mention "physics package" and "device"). A few comments about terminology is probably in order.

The earliest name for such a weapon appears to be "atomic bomb". This has been criticized as a misnomer since all chemical explosives generate energy from reactions between atoms - that is, between intact atoms consisting of both the atomic nucleus and electron shells. Further the fission weapon to which "atomic bomb" is applied is no more "atomic" than fusion weapons are. However the name is firmly attached to the pure fission weapon, and well accepted by historians, the public, and by the scientists who created the first nuclear weapons.

Since the distinguishing feature of both fission and fusion weapons is that they release energy from transformations of the atomic nucleus, the best general term for all types of these explosive devices is "nuclear weapon" (hence the name of this FAQ).

Fusion weapons are called "hydrogen bombs" (H-bombs) because isotopes of hydrogen are principal components of the nuclear reactions involved. In fact, in the earliest fusion bomb designs deuterium (hydrogen-2) was the sole fusion fuel. Fusion weapons are called "thermonuclear weapons" because high temperatures are required for the fusion reactions to occur.

oh and Larry...the first two atomic bombs were made with both fissionable materials: one from uranium, the other from plutonium. either material is acceptable, it just that most nations that make these weapons prefer the plutonium because it is easier to obtain the fuel, and the detonation process allows the weapon to be made more compact.

Answer 2

A nuclear reaction can be either through nuclear fusion or nuclear fission. Although we haven't mastered fusion yet, this is what the sun uses to burn.

An atomic bomb is the same exact thing as a nuclear bomb. It's just a different terminology for the same thing.

Larry above is incorrect.

Answer 3

Not really per se: A nuclear bomb is one that use's fissle materail such as plutonium, thorinium, or some other fissle material. An atomic bomb is one that is usually uranium based

Answer 4

From an operational standpoint, nothing. They're the same thing.


Doug