How a Match Works

Matches have been used since the early 1800s, since the discovery that small controlled fires could be created via friction and chemical reaction. In 1855, Carl Lundstrom of Sweden, utilizing safer chemicals, developed safety matches, which can only be ignited by striking the designated surface on the match box, as opposed to a "strike anywhere" match.

Exothermic Reaction

• When a match is struck, a chemical reaction takes place with a resulting change in energy. When a match head strikes a surface lined with a reactive chemical, sand, or another substance, heat is released with the flame, which is an exothermic reaction.

Chemical Change

• Match heads are typically covered with red phosphorous. When a match is struck, friction causes the red phosphorous to chemically change into white phosphorous, which becomes flammable with surrounding oxygen.

Friction and Oxygen

• Friction and oxygen are two major ingredients to get a match to light. Friction on the match coupled with oxygen as fuel creates a match flame.