David Samons, age 10, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, for his question:

HOW DOES A MATCH WORK?

There are two chief types of matches: the strike anywhere match and the safety match.

The strike anywhere match has a tip, called the eye, which contains the firing substance. It is made of the chemical preparation sesquisulfide of phosphorus. When the match is lighted, the paraffin in which the matchstick has been dipped carries the flame from the head to the wood part.

The safety match, as the name suggests, can be lighted only by striking it on a special surface, usually located on the side of the packet or box of matches. The head is made of a substance containing  chlorate of potash and has a kindling temperature of approximately 360 degrees Fahrenheit. The striking surface is formed of a compound of red phosphorus and sand.