system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Eli5: Why does splitting an atom cause such a giant explosion?

Where does all the energy come from?
gpt
Splitting a *lot* of atoms releases a lot of energy.

Just like burning one molecule of gasoline does nothing, splitting one atom of uranium does nothing.

Burning a gallon of gasoline releases a lot of energy. Splitting thirty pounds of uranium will destroy a town.

The energy comes from forces within the nucleus. One force holds it together, while another tried to push it apart. By splitting it, we allow that repulsive force to violently fling the nucleus apart, and release a ton of energy.