Matches

Do you ever wonder how the matches produce fire? 

When you light a match, a reaction occurred in the tip of the match that contains potassium chlorate (an oxidant), sulfur, starch, glue and some other ingredients. 

The striking surface on the match box contains powdered glass, red phosphorus, and glue. When a match strikes on this surface, the heat of the friction causes a reaction between the potassium chlorate in the match head and the red phosphorus in the striking surface. That way sparks are formed, which finally ignite the match head that continues to burn after that.

 The material of making a matches is red phosphorus. 

A chemical equation of lighting a match is:

16KCl₃ + 3P₄ S₃ --> 16 KCl + 9SO₂

Usually matches that we buy is black phosphorus, but  actually phosphorus can found in three main forms that are white, red, and black.

Red Phosphorus

Black Phosphorus

White Phosphorus

Do you know what is the different between these  three types of phosphorus?

Let's compare these three different match phosphorous.

White phosphorus is a soft, waxy, flammable substance, consisting of tetrahedral P₄ molecules but sometimes it is slightly yellowish because of the presence of impurities, therefore,  it is sometimes also known as yellow phosphorus. White phosphorus is highly reactive, and ignites at about 30°C in moist air. It is also extremely toxic, even in very small quantities. It can produces severe gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, and liver damage. It also causes burns when it comes in contact with skin.

Do not underestimate this small white phosphorus, in fact, it can lead your skin burn!

How can we handle white phosphorus, since it is highly reactive?

That  have a few ways to handle those white phosphorus:

It is usually stored under water, this is because to prevent it exposure to the air. 

On the other hand, white phosphorus should be handled with gloves.

Black phosphorus is the least reactive form, and it can be converted to white phosphorus by heating it under pressure.

Red phosphorus is commonly found in the match. It also can be converted to the more reactive white phosphorus by heat, sunlight, or friction. Red phosphorus is used on the strike surface of the box, the friction caused by dragging the match head across the rough surface converts some of the red phosphorus to white phosphorus, which spontaneously ignites, causing the match head to ignite. 

Without the flame, the world will loss it's glory, we wouldn't taste the delicious cooked food. We wouldn't have the candle light in church or while there is no electric.

So, let the flame be eternal, our glory also be eternal! :)