Have you ever seen a match? It is a small stick of wood. One end is a little ball. That ball is the head.
When you strike the match against the side of the box, something amazing happens. A bright flame appears. How does this work? It is all chemistry.
A fire needs three things to start and stay alive. Scientists call this the "fire triangle." The three parts are fuel, oxygen, and heat.
First, the match needs fuel. The wood of the stick and the chemicals on the head are fuel. Fuel is anything that can burn.
Second, the match needs oxygen. Oxygen is a gas in the air around us. We cannot see it, but fire needs it to breathe.
Third, the match needs heat. Where does the heat come from? It comes from friction. When you rub the match head against the box, the rubbing makes heat.
The match head has special chemicals. One chemical is sulfur. Another chemical is potassium chlorate. When the heat from the rubbing touches these chemicals, they mix with the oxygen in the air.
This mix causes a fast chemical reaction. The chemicals change into light, heat, and smoke. The flame starts on the head. Then, the flame jumps to the wooden stick. The wood burns too, and it gives you more light and heat.
When the wood turns into black ash, the fuel is gone. Without fuel, the fire stops. When the oxygen is blocked, the fire stops. When the heat goes away, the fire stops.
Next time you see a small fire, remember the three rules. It needs fuel, oxygen, and heat.
What other things around your house can burn easily?