Question

When the matchstick is struck against the rubbing surface, red phosphorous:

• A. converts into white phosphorous
• B. reacts with potassium chlorate
• C. ignite antimony trisulphide
• D. none of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A converts into white phosphorous

The head of the safety match has antimony trisulphide and potassium chloride. The rubbying surface has powdered glass and little red phosphorus. When the match is struck against the rubbing surface some red phosphorus gets converted to white phosphorus, this reacts with potassium chlorate in the matchstick head to produce heat in order to ignite antimony trisulphide and start the combustion.