The Chemistry in a Match
How Do Matches Work? posted by Reactions
Before Watching
7. Do the following activities.
Complete this sentence with the following words: friction • heat • ignites • struck.
A match (1) ....................... as a result of the (2) ....................... produced by (3) ....................... when it is (4) ....................... on a rough surface.
Surf the Net and find out about the chemist who invented the friction match.
Name some elements or compounds you think are present in a friction match.
While Watching
8. Watch the video and decide if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F).
| Statement | T | F |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The fuel in a match is antimony trisulfide. | ||
| 2. Ammonium phosphate helps the fuel to burn. | ||
| 3. Smoke is reduced thanks to potassium chlorate. | ||
| 4. The color on the head of a match does not have any purpose. | ||
| 5. The two components of the striking surface of the matchbox have the same function. | ||
| 6. Friction transforms red phosphorus into a more volatile gas. | ||
| 7. The flame burns out slowly because of potassium chlorate. | ||
| 8. Paraffin wax covers all the match. |
After Watching
9. Watch the video again and answer the following questions.
1. What are the parts of a match called?
2. What is the key to the ignition of a match?
3. What is the purpose of paraffin?
4. Why is there powdered glass on the striking surface?
5. What converts red phosphorus into white phosphorus?
6. What ignites white phosphorus?
Moving Further
10. Fire is fire – and it needs to be extinguished.
Did you know, however, that there are different types of fires which need to be handled differently to be extinguished? Surf the Net and get information about the different classes of fire and how to put them out.