How do lithium-ion batteries power our devices?

Lithium-ion batteries are like tiny power packs that help your phone and tablet keep running all day.

Imagine you have a backpack full of little balls, these are like the energy inside a battery. When you want to use your device, the balls roll out of the backpack and go into another bag nearby. This moving of balls is how electricity gets from the battery to your phone or tablet. The more balls that move, the more power your device has.

Inside a lithium-ion battery, there are two sides, one with lithium (a light and sneaky element) and another with something else, like carbon. When you charge your device, the lithium sneaks across to join the carbon side, storing up energy. When you use your device, the lithium goes back home, giving off power as it moves.

It’s like having a friend who helps carry your lunch, when you're full, they go back with an empty bag; when you’re hungry, they come back with food. That's how batteries keep working so your phone can play games and send messages all day!