The conversation between human and AI assistant.
Why are lithium-ion batteries so much more common than, say, sodium-ion batteries?
I see. What about other types of batteries like lead-acid or nickel-cadmium? Why aren't they used as much anymore?
Lead-acid batteries are still used for applications like starting car engines or powering backup generators, but they are not as energy-dense as lithium-ion batteries and have a shorter lifespan. Nickel-cadmium batteries are also not as energy-dense and can be hazardous to the environment due to their cadmium content.