Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Hannah LS on 04/12/2018 14:20:18
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Baskar asks:
How does a match stick burn in air when it is placed close to a chemical? For an example see this video:
What type of chemical could be used for this? In the video the chemical looks like a kind of gel...
What do you think?
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I'm intrigued!
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I can imagine a few substances that have a significant enough vapor pressure, and are reactive enough that they could start to heat the match head and trigger them...
It will depend strongly on what type of matches they are--"strike anywhere" matches can often be starteed with concentrated sulfuric acid (not volatile), so perhaps a similarly strong acid that is more volatile could be used (like TFA, but I don't want to think about what getting a TFA-laden gel on my skin would do...)
My suspicion is that it is either a volatile acid or fuel (or both), which would start reacting with the potassium chlorate in the match head.
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If I wanted to set up that effect I'd use an infra red laser.
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It might not be a standard match. I think the first self igniting match was a mixture of potassium chlorate, sulphur and sugar and was dipped in sulphuric acid.
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Perhaps I should have been clearer.
I know a lot about chemistry, ignition, volatility, reactivity, combustion and availability...
And I'd use a laser- because that would actually work..
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Wouldn't the laser burn the page? Or is that why they paint it with "water" beforehand...?
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indeed, an ir laser would offer an easy and quite effective way to light the matches (without many of the risks of using volatile and corrosive compounds.)
given that this appears to be a religious ritual, i don't see any reason why they would feel compelled to be open about the scientific mechanism.
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given that this appears to be a religious ritual, i don't see any reason why they would feel compelled to be open about the scientific mechanism.
;D
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Wouldn't the laser burn the page? Or is that why they paint it with "water" beforehand...?
Because it's pointed at the match, not the paper.