hydrogen bomb vs. atomic bomb

hydrogen bomb vs. atomic bomb: What's the difference?

Hydrogen bomb and atomic bomb are both extremely powerful types of bombs that derive their power from atomic processes. A hydrogen bomb, the more powerful of the two, is powered by the fusion (squishing together) of hydrogen atoms. An atomic bomb is powered by the fission (splitting apart) of uranium or plutonium atoms.

hydrogen bomb

[hahy-druh-juhn bom] / ˈhaɪ drə dʒən ˌbɒm /

Also H-bomb

noun

a bomb, more powerful than an atomic bomb, that derives its explosive energy from the thermonuclear fusion reaction of hydrogen isotopes.

atomic bomb

[uh-tom-ik bom] / əˈtɒm ɪk ˌbɒm /

Also atom bomb

noun

a bomb whose potency is derived from nuclear fission of atoms of fissionable material with the consequent conversion of part of their mass into energy.
a bomb whose explosive force comes from a chain reaction based on nuclear fission in U-235 or plutonium.