The stars of the show are obviously lithium atoms, which give up an electron easily to form ions. Every battery has a cathode and anode, with a separator and electrolyte sitting between the two.

lithium-ion batteries feature the movement of lithium ions through a liquid electrolyte between a cathode and anode, while the electron within the external circuit moves in the opposite direction.

This is where lithium’s reactivity comes into play; its loosely held outer electron can easily be split off, leaving a lithium ion (the atom sans its outer electron). The cell basically works by ...

The answer is that sodium atoms, which have 11 protons, 12 neutrons and an extra electron shell, are bigger and heavier than lithium ones (three protons and three neutrons). A sodium battery will ...