Which of the following allotropes of phosphorus is used in the manufacture of safety matches?

Options

A. White `P`
B. Yellow `P`
C. Red `P`
D. Black `P`

Answer

3

Explanation

Despite the prevalence of cheap butane lighters, match consumption is still between `10^(12)` and `10^(13)` per year. The modern safety match depends on a chemical reaction between the match head and the strip on the matchbox. The head of the match is mostly potassium chlorate `(KCIO_(3))` an oxidizing agent, whereas the strip contains red `P` and antimony sulphide `Sb_(2)S_(3)` both of which oxidize very exothermically when brough in contact with the potassium chlorate. In addition to the safety match, there is also the "strick-anywhere" match. In this case, the two chemical components, the oxidizing agent `(KCIO_(3)` and the reducing agent (tetraphosphorus trisulphide `P_(4)S_(3)`), are mixed in the match head. Anysource of friction such as the glass-paper strip on the matchbox or a brick wall, can provide the activation energy necessary to start the reaction.