Why does splitting an atom create energy? And why is it so much energy?

Question

Why does splitting an atom create energy? And why is it so much energy?

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Answer 1

Usually energy is just that – either heat or electrical voltage or something else. But when an atom is split a tiny amount of mass is converted into energy. Einstein’s E = m*c^2 tells us that mass is worth A LOT of energy and that’s exactly why splitting atoms creates so much energy