Question

When an unlit matchstick is held near to an extremely hot Bunsen burner, the matchstick does not get hot enough to light up. However, if the air gap were to be replaced by a piece of copper rod, the matchstick lights up easily. Which of the following could explain the above observation?

• A. Air is a bad conductor of heat while copper is a good conductor of heat
• B. The flame does not radiate any heat sideways when air is between the flame and the match
• C. Air is a bad radiator of heat while copper is a good radiator of heat
• D. The match head reflects heat by radiation

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Air is a bad conductor of heat while copper is a good conductor of heat

Air is a bad conductor of heat and copper being a metal is a good conductor of heat. So, when the air gap is replaced by a piece of copper rod, the match lights up easily.