No, splitting the atom of an element with a higher atomic number does not inherently release more energy. The energy released from nuclear fission depends on the specific isotopes involved and the total mass of the nuclei before and after the fission process.
In general, nuclear fission involves splitting the nucleus of an atom into two smaller nuclei, along with the release of energy. The most commonly known example is the fission of uranium-235 or plutonium-239, which are used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. These isotopes are favored for fission because they are relatively unstable and can undergo chain reactions.
The energy released during fission comes from the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc². The total energy released is the difference in mass before and after the fission process, multiplied by the square of the speed of light. This energy is usually released in the form of kinetic energy of the fission fragments and in the form of gamma radiation.
The amount of energy released per fission event varies depending on the specific isotopes involved. Different isotopes have different binding energies, which determine the stability of the nucleus. Generally, heavier isotopes have higher binding energies, which means that more energy is required to split them. However, this does not necessarily mean that heavier isotopes always release more energy per fission event.
To summarize, the energy released from nuclear fission depends on the specific isotopes involved and their binding energies, rather than solely on the atomic number of the element.