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Matches contain sulfur, glass powder, and an oxidizing agent as the components in the match head. When you strike a match, the friction due to the particles of glass powder rubbing together generates enough heat to convert some of the red phosphorous to white phosphorous, which burns in the presence of oxygen gas. The heat from the friction also causes the oxidizing agent to produce oxygen gas, igniting the small amount of white phosphorous. Once ignited, the oxygen gas fuels the flame while the rest of the sulfur catches on fire. Of course, this entire process happens in a fraction of a second. At this point, the entire match head is on fire, so the oxygen in the air keeps the flame going while the rest of the match burns.

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What is the temperature of a lit match?

3500 degrees Fahrenheit which is VERY hot to my experience


What would happen if you tried to light a match on mars?

There would be no flame because fire needs oxygen to burn, and the Martian atmosphere consists mainly of Carbon Dioxide.


What causes the moon to appear in different shapes at different times?

The direction is is lit from. When the Moon is lit (by the Sun) from straight on it appears full, when it is lit from behind it appears new, and when it is lit from the side it looks like a semi-circle.


What happens when you hold a spiral paper over a lit candle?

When you hold a spiral paper over a lit candle, the heat causes the air within the spiral to rise, creating a mini updraft that makes the spiral rotate. The rotation is caused by the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the spiral paper.


What is the picture of 8 phases of moon?

Phase 1 - New Moon - The side of the moon that is facing the Earth is not lit up by the sun. At this time the moon is not visible.Phase 2 - Waxing Crescent - A small part (less than 1/2) of the moon is lit up at this point. The part that is lit up is slowly getting bigger.Phase 3 - First Quarter - One half of the moon is lit up by the sun at this point. The part that is lit up is slowly getting bigger.Phase 4 - Waxing Gibbous - At this time half of the moon is lit up. The part that is lit is slowly getting bigger. Waxing means to slowly get bigger.Phase 5 - Full Moon - The side of the moon that is lit up by the sun is facing the Earth. The entire moon is lit up at this point.Phase 6 - Waning Gibbous - The moon is not quite lit up all the way by sunlight. The part of the moon this is lit is slowly getting smaller. Waning means to slowly get smaller.Phase 7 - Last Quarter - Half of the moon is lit up but the sun. The part that we can see lit up is slowly getting smaller.Phase 8 - Waning Crescent - A small part of the moon is lit up at this point. It is getting smaller by the minute.

Related Questions

What happens when you drop a match in a water bottle then put the top on the water bottle?

If the match is lit and the bottle is empty, the match will burn all the oxygen and then it will go out, since it requires oxygen to keep burning. If the bottle is full, you will have a wet match.


How many forms of energy in a lit match?

A lit match contains chemical energy stored in the match head, as well as thermal energy released as heat and light when the match is burning. So there are at least two forms of energy in a lit match.


In the little match girl what happy vision did she see every time she struck a match?

When she lit the first match, she had a vision of a large polished iron stove, giving of a delightful warmth. When she lit the second match, she saw a roast goose on a dinner table. When she lit the third match, she had a vision of sitting under a beautiful Christmas tree. Every match she lit after that gave her a vision of her beloved dead grandmother, who finally took the little girl up to heaven.


When the little match girl strikes her matches what can she see?

When she lit the first match, she had a vision of a large polished iron stove, giving of a delightful warmth. When she lit the second match, she saw a roast goose on a dinner table. When she lit the third match, she had a vision of sitting under a beautiful Christmas tree. Every match she lit after that gave her a vision of her beloved dead grandmother, who finally took the little girl up to heaven.


Had only one match and entered a COLD and DARK room?

The match wasn't lit.


Which of these is an example of a time switch?

A fuse lit with a match


Is a lit match kinetic or potential energy?

A lit match has both kinetic and potential energy. The potential energy is stored in the chemical bonds of the match head before it is lit, and the kinetic energy is released as heat and light energy when the match is ignited.


What will lit matches in a bottle produce?

If you put a lit match in a bottle, and put like a screw cap on it, the flame from the match will use up all the oxygen in the bottle and when there is no oxygen left, the match will just go out.


How do you make fire faster?

Lit a wood with a burning match


What is an example activation energy?

holding a lit match to paper


What type of energy is a match before it is lit?

chemical energy


How much energy is in a match head?

Technically its potential energy until it's lit, and then it depends on the match brand.