Question

Special strike-anywhere matches can light a fire by rubbing against any rough surface. They do not require a matchbox strip for rubbing the match heads contain an oxidizing agent, such as potassium chlorate and a sulphide of:
(A) Carbon
(B) Phosphorus
(C) Iron
(D) Cobalt

Answer 1

Hint : In order to answer this question, you must know about a match. A match is made up of three parts: a head that starts the fire, a tinder substance that picks up and transmits the flame, and a handle. There are two types of matches: (1) strike-anywhere matches and (2) safety matches.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The strike-anywhere match's head contains all of the chemicals needed for frictional heat ignition, whereas the safety match's head ignites at a much higher temperature and must be struck on a specially prepared surface with ingredients that pass ignition across to the head.
Potassium chlorate supplies oxygen to the igniting agent and the other combustible materials.
Other than potassium chlorate, phosphorus sulphide is used as the matchstick's head because phosphorus sulphide is easily ignited and burns more vigorously when potassium chlorate decomposes to give oxygen. These chemicals do not ignite on their own, meaning that the match will not light from normal friction. The match head also contains glue , which binds material together and serves as extra fuel.
Hence, Option (B) is correct.

Note :
Before the invention of matches, it was common to use specially made splinters tipped with some combustible substance, such as sulphur, to transfer a flame from one combustible source to another.