Question

The head of a safety match contains:

• A. Antimony trisulphide and potassium chlorate.
• B. Antimony chloride and potassium sulphide.
• C. Antimony carbonate
• D. Potassium sulphide.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Antimony trisulphide and potassium chlorate.

The heads of safety match contains Antimony trisulphide, potassium chlorate,sulphur ,powdered glass,inert filters and animal glue.

Antimony trisulphide cannot be ignited directly by the heat of friction,even in the presence of oxidizing agent like potassium chlorate and it requires another source of ignition to start the combustion.

That source of ignition comes from the striking surface,which is deposited on the side of the matchbox or on the back cover of the matchbox.

The striking surface contains red phosphorus, powder glass and glue.

When a safety match is rubbed against the striking surface, the friction generates enough to convert a trace of the red phosphorus into white phosphorus.

This is immediately react with potassium chlorate in the match head to produce enough heat to ignite the Antimony tri sulphide and start the combustion.