Edit Menu: Audio Clips
Note that when you split a clip each of the new sub-clips contains all of the audio that the parent clip had but with hidden audio data that you can expand out if required.
For more details on the use and management of clips please see Audacity Tracks and Clips
Split Ctrl + I
Splits the current clip into up to three clips at the selection boundaries. The audio before, within, and after the selection can now all be shifted independently
Split New Ctrl+ Alt + I Extra
Does a Split Cut on the current selection in the current track, then creates a new track and pastes the selection into the new track.
Join Ctrl + J Extra
If you select an area that overlaps one or more clips, they are all joined into one large clip. Regions in-between clips become silence.
Detach at Silences Ctrl + Alt + J Extra
In a selection region that includes absolute silence and other audio, creates individual non-silent clips between the regions of silence. The silence in the selection becomes blank space between the clips.
If the selection is entirely silence, it becomes blank space between the audio either side of the selection.