Answer:
A matchstick catches fire when the friction from rubbing it against the striking surface causes a chemical reaction that produces heat and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Striking a matchstick does not catch fire due to friction alone. It is a combination of friction and a chemical reaction.
When you rub the head of a matchstick against the striking surface of a matchbox, the friction causes the temperature of the matchstick to rise. This heat causes a small amount of red phosphorus on the striking surface to convert into white phosphorus. White phosphorus is a highly volatile chemical that ignites in the air.
The heat from the friction also causes the potassium chlorate in the match head to decompose. This releases oxygen, which combines with the white phosphorus to create a fire.
So, the striking of a matchstick catches fire due to a combination of friction, which raises the temperature of the matchstick, and a chemical reaction, which produces heat and oxygen
