NOVA Online (see text links below)
Search for a Safe Cigarette  
Lit match On Fire
Strike a Match (2)

The chemicals that make up the match head have a relatively low ignition temperature—roughly 360 degrees F. Sliding the head across the rough surface produced a temperature at least this high.

Once the match head ignited, combustion released even more heat. Because this heat was higher than the matchstick's ignition temperature, the fire is sustained. It then moved from the head to the cardboard stick.

Next, find out how combustion can lead to a Chain Reaction.


Chain Reaction | Shuffle Atoms | Flame Experiment

To Print

Anatomy of a Cigarette | "Safer" Cigarettes: A History | The Dope on Nicotine | On Fire
Resources | Teacher's Guide | Transcript | Site Map | Search for a Safe Cigarette Home

Search | Site Map | Previously Featured | Schedule | Feedback | Teachers | Shop
Join Us/E-Mail | About NOVA | Editor's Picks | Watch NOVAs online | To print
PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH

© | Updated October 2001
 
Shop Teachers Feedback Schedule Previously Featured Site Map Search NOVA Home Search for a Safe Cigarette Home Site Map Search for a Safe Cigarette Home