what is the difference between an atomic bomb and a hydrogen bomb.?

Question

also is the russians new bomb really that powerful?

Answer 1

The atomic bomb works by having the material in it, usually uranium or plutonium reach the mass where they will start an uncontrolled chain reaction breakdown which gives off a great amount of energy. This mass is called critical mass. Originally the US used explosives to compress the material, this bomb was called Fat Boy, I think. My college chemistry professor way back in 1974 worked on this part of the Manhattan Project. The other bomb, the better design, and the one used today uses a gun to shot a bullet made of the material into a target of the material so that the two lesser amounts become greater then the minimum required for the reaction to start. This bomb was called Thin Boy I believe.
The Hydrogen Bomb is different in that the H2 is the fissionable material. It actually uses an atomic bomb to start its reaction.
The smaller you make a nuclear weapon beyond a certain point the less efficient it will become, so to destroy small areas, like a small village, or a camp, that you don't have to fight to place the charge in place, i.e. unsuspecting civilians. it is easier it use vapor bombs or other devices of that class.
Imagine if I completely saturated the air in your school and the surrounding blocks with say gasoline vapor. It would have all of the oxygen it needed and every room and building was filled with and surrounded by it and then I ignited it. Your body would be crushed by the explosion which is in effect occurring completely around you. When done right there is no need for a body count. There are no bodies, there is no radioactivity, and since the device disperses in air there is little trace if the explosive.
I doubt the Russian have any thing we don't. All it would take is a good color picture of the explosion and we can tell what the bomb is made of. Thermodynamics only allows a few things.

Answer 2

An atomic bomb uses Uranium or Plutonium for explosion and is based on the principle of nuclear fission.

A hydrogen bomb works on the principle of nuclear fusion (similar to what is happening in our Sun and other stars), but may need a trigger of an atomic bomb to create the high temperature and pressure needed to start the fusion reaction.

The russian bomb is based on a different principle and creates damage through vacuum and a pressure wave, produced by chemical means.

Answer 3

I'm not certain but I think the A-Bomb and the H-Bomb is the same thing... the Hydrogen atom is the atom that is being referred too?

Answer 4

OK I know this answer is going to get deleted, but you asked the question and here is an honest answer. One hell of a louder boom.