When one strikes a safety match, the first step is

burning of sulfur

decomposition of potassium chlorate into potassium chloride and oxygen

conversion of a small amount of red phosphorus into white phosphorus

burning of glue and starch

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2016

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When one strikes a safety match, the first step (after generating friction) is the conversion of a small amount of red phosphorus into white phosphorus.

A safety match head contains oxidizer (like KClO₃), fuel (sulfur), and binder. The striking surface contains red phosphorus, glass powder, and binder. Striking the head against the surface creates friction, which generates heat. This heat energy is sufficient to convert a tiny amount of red phosphorus on the strip into the highly reactive white phosphorus, which ignites instantly in air. This initial ignition then provides the heat to decompose the potassium chlorate in the match head, releasing oxygen, which oxidizes the sulfur, causing the main flame.

Burning of sulfur (A), decomposition of potassium chlorate (B), and burning of glue/starch (D – part of the binder) are subsequent steps that occur after the initial ignition triggered by the red phosphorus/white phosphorus conversion.

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