Question

What are the chemicals present in match stick?
1. Red phosphorous, glue, sulphur
2. Antimony sulphide, sulphur, potassium chlorate
3. Antimony sulphide, red phosphorous, glue
4. Antimony sulphide, phosphorous, sulphur

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Antimony sulphide, sulphur, potassium chlorate

The correct answer is Antimony sulphide, sulphur, potassium chlorate.

• Antimony sulphide, sulphur, potassium chlorate are the chemicals present in match stick.
• The head of safety matches is made of an oxidizing agent such as potassium chlorate, mixed with sulfur, fillers, and glass powder.
• The striking surface of the matchbox is made rough by adding some powdered glass.
• Red phosphorus is present on the striking surface of the matchbox.
• Potassium chlorate is present on the head of the matchstick.
• When you rub the head of the matchstick on the striking surface of the matchbox, some heat is generated due to the friction.
  • This heat breaks a small part of the red phosphorus chain.
• After that, some red phosphorus transforms into white phosphorus.
• White phosphorus is a highly volatile chemical and ignites in the air.
• This sets off the decomposition of potassium chlorate to give oxygen and potassium chloride.
• The sulfur catches fire and ignites the wood.

• Another type of matchstick is “strike anywhere” matches.
• In these matches, the phosphorus component is also present on the match head.
• “Strike anywhere” matchsticks are risky as they burn when rubbed on any surface.
• To generate fire, we need three things - heat, fuel, and oxygen.
• Whenever we bring together fuel, heat, and oxygen, we can produce fire.