Question

Can you tell why a matchstick does not catch fire on its own at room temperature? A matchstick starts burning on rubbing it on the side of the matchbox. Kerosene oil and wood do not catch fire on their own at room temperature. But, if kerosene oil is heated a little, it catches fire. But if wood is heated a little, it would still not catch fire. Thus, different substances catch fire at different temperatures.

1. Why do substances like kerosene and petrol catch fire easily? What are such substances called?
2. What is the matchstick head made of?
3. Why does the matchstick start burning on rubbing it on the side of the matchbox?

Answer 1

Answer:

1.This is because the specific heat capacity of the wood is more than the kerosene oil. So, the wood takes time to burn but burns for longer period than the kerosene oil. this type of substances are called flammable substances.

2.The head of safety matches are made of an oxidizing agent such as potassium chlorate, mixed with sulfur, fillers and glass powder.

3.When you rub the match on the box, you get friction, which means you get heat. This heat causes a small amount of the red phosphorus chain to be broken apart. When that happens, some of the red phosphorous changes into another chemical called “white phosphorus”.

Explanation:

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