Matches are tools used for starting
a fire, and have existed in some form
since back in 3500 BC.[1]
The basic idea
of a match is something that can be used
to hold fire for lighting other things,
much like a torch but on a much smaller
scale. Modern day matches are known as
“friction” matches, and originate from
1826.[2] These
require friction in order to ignite and
are split into two types: safety and
strike-anywhere matches. Safety matches
require being struck on a special surface
in order to light, whereas strike anywhere
matches will light when struck on any
surface where friction is involved.
Matches consist of the match head, which
is where the match gets lit, and the match
stick, which is the part you hold onto and
fuel for the flame. In order to explain
the physics behind how matches work, we'll
first go over some information on an
important element used in matches.
