Question: how do you split atoms

Cameron Manning answered on 10 Dec 2020:

Physicists will split atoms by firing a neutron at the nucleus of another atom e.g. Uranium-235. Because we’ve added a neutron, it becomes Uranium-236, which is unstable and so it will soon break apart to stabilise itself.
When our new Uranium-236 nucleus splits apart, it will release a few more neutrons and loads of energy – these newly released neutrons will hit surrounding Uranium-235 atoms and cause a chain reaction.
This process is called nuclear fission.