Red phosphorus is used in decoy flares and smokescreen grenades, but it's far from perfect. ... It reacts violently with oxidizing agents, such as potassium chlorate, ...

"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match"... and we're not talking about a love connection! Dan Smith explores the fiery science/history behind friction matches.

And that friction ignites potassium chlorate, which releases. ... Friction also ignites phosphorus sesquisulfide. It generates enough heat to ignite the aspen shank and then.

Eventually match makers stopped using white phosphorus in matches, and it was outlawed in the United States in 1910. You Might Also Like The First “Chocolate Chip” Was a Molasses Candy ...

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