Question

When a matchstick is rubbed against the side of match box, the red phosphorus in it:

• A. ignites antimony disulphide.
• B. converts into potassium chlorate.
• C. converts into white phosphorus.
• D. ignites potassium chlorate.

Answer 1

The correct option is C converts into white phosphorus.

When a matchstick is rubbed against the side of a match box, some of the red phosphorus gets converted into white phosphorus. This white phosphorus reacts with potassium chlorate present in the matchstick head to ignite antimony trisulphide. This starts the combustion of the matchstick.