You mean what triggers the fission chain reaction?
The atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima was a gun style fission bomb that used a uranium-235 core. The core consisted of two hemispheres of U-235 on each side of a tube, with an explosive that would push them together. When they collide, they reach the critical mass for an uncontrolled chain reaction and nuclei start to split and release neutrons which will collide with other nuclei and split them as well. The explosive used to trigger the reaction is triggered by a detonator.
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In an atomic bomb, nuclear fission occurs when a neutron collides with the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, splitting it into two smaller nuclei and releasing a large amount of energy. When this process is initiated and sustained rapidly, a chain reaction is created, resulting in a powerful explosion. The bomb is triggered by either firing a projectile into a subcritical mass of fissile material or by compressing the fissile material with conventional explosives to bring it to a critical mass.
An atomic bomb is a type of nuclear weapon that releases energy through nuclear fission (splitting of atomic nuclei). Nuclear weapon is a broader term that encompasses atomic bombs, as well as hydrogen bombs which release energy through nuclear fusion (combining atomic nuclei).
Yes, an atom bomb works by atomic fission, which involves splitting the nucleus of an atom, releasing an immense amount of energy. This process is used in both atomic bombs and nuclear reactors.
A traditional nuclear fission bomb is used as a trigger in a hydrogen bomb. The explosion from the fission bomb generates the high temperatures and pressures needed to initiate the fusion reaction in the hydrogen bomb.
The terms "atomic bomb" and "nuclear bomb" are general terms and can pretty much be used interchangeably. That said, there isn't any difference between them, and one is not more powerful than the other in that light.
A hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, uses a combination of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. The detonation of a fission bomb triggers the fusion of hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium), releasing tremendous amounts of energy. This process results in a significantly more powerful explosion than a traditional atomic bomb, which relies solely on nuclear fission.