Atomic vs Nuclear Bombs: What's the Difference?

[heaven eye]

Is there a difference between an atomic bomb and a nuclear bomb? or it's two names for one kind of bomb?
I am so confused !

 

[DaveC426913]

Wiki is your friend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon

In a nutshell:

An atom bomb (or A-bomb or fission bomb) exploits the power released when a heavy element such as plutonium is split into two lighter elements.

A hydrogen bomb (or H-bomb or fusion bomb) exploits the power released when a light element such as hydrogen is fused into a heavier element such as helium.


If you look up "binding energy", you'll see http://www.alaskajohn.com/physics/charts/binding_energy.jpg" . A reaction that jumps up the chart (such as U > Kr (not listed) or H > He) releases a corresponding amount of energy.

Considering the height that He is above H, it becomes apparent why H-bombs are much more powerful than A-bombs.

 

[russ_watters]

But the question was about "atomic" vs "nuclear"... My understanding was that the word "atomic" fell out of favor because it isn't quite descriptive: the energy comes from the nucleus of the atom, hence "nuclear".

 

[rbj]

But the question was about "atomic" vs "nuclear"... My understanding was that the word "atomic" fell out of favor because it isn't quite descriptive: the energy comes from the nucleus of the atom, hence "nuclear".

i think, the common usage also meant that "atomic bomb" precluded the fusion bomb, but "nuclear bomb" could mean either fission or fusion bomb.