How Matches Work Lets start with a look at Safety Matches. These are the ones that come in a container with a designated striking surface. The head of a Safety Match contains Sulfer, glass powder, and an oxidizing agent such as Potassium Chlorate.[7] The striking surface is made of glass powder, sand, and Red Phosphorus. The Potassium Chlorate is used to create oxygen for the flame, the Sulfer used as a fuel, and the glass and sand used to create a rough surface for better friction. "Safety Matches." Photo. Coghlans.com. Coghlan's Ltd. n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. When the match head is struck across the striking surface, the friction creates enough heat to revert the Red Phosphorus back to White Phosphorus, which then immediately ignites from contact with the air. The resulting fire of this reaction uses the Potassium Chlorate to expand into a larger flame which then ignites the Sulfer. Then, as the Sulfer burns up the wood of the stick catches fire. This all happens in a short burst of fiery life when you light a match. The video below shows the process described in at a slower rate so that you can better see the reaction. Lighting Safety Match (Slow Motion 1080p) So what's the difference between a Safetey Match and a Strike-Anywhere match? Its as simple as putting the Phosphorus in the match head instead of on the container. For these matches, Phosphorus Sesquisulfide is used because it is easier to ignite with friction than Red Phoshorus. You can see the difference between the two, as shown in the image below. Strike-Anywhere Matches have a tip of Phosphorus, whereas the Safety Match is one color.   Boundreaux, Kevin. "Safety Match and Strike-Anywhere Match." Photo. Angelo.edu. n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.