why does splitting an atom create energy
Nuclear Technologies History Part 2 - Splitting the Atom. 1  Fermi knew that when an atom splits it releases other neutrons, and he was quick to realize that under the right conditions those neutrons could go on to split other atoms in a chain reaction. This would lead to one of two things: a steady generation of energy in the form of heat or a huge explosion. If each splitting atom caused one released neutron to split another atom, the chain reaction was said to be critical and would create a steady release of heat energy.