Question

Can a Hydrogen atom be split?

Answer 1

No - there is only 1 proton in a hydrogen atom and so it can't be split.

Explanation:

When we think of splitting an atom, we are talking about a nuclear fission reaction - one that involves taking an atom of some element (Uranium is a good example) and cleaving it in two, to capture the energy released from the weak nuclear force (which is what happens in a nuclear reactor):

When we talk about doing that to a Hydrogen atom, we need to realize that Hydrogen has only 1 proton, so there is nothing to split.