What is on the top of a match ?

Question: What is on the top of a match ?
- Keywords:
  chemical,
  matchstick
Asked by reggie99 to Arlene, Colin, David, Eugene, Paul on 20 Nov 2012.
- David McKeown answered on 20 Nov 2012:
  
  The top of matches are made from sulphur!
- Arlene O'Neill answered on 20 Nov 2012:
  
  Any material that can be ignited by frictional heat, which would be generated by striking the match. There are a load of materials, phosphorus is another example
- Paul Higgins answered on 21 Nov 2012:
  
  Only use with adult supervision!

David commented on 21 Nov 2012:

I hear by proclaim Paul the Health and safety Officer for the Space Zone. The only one making sure we don’t play with matches. Good Man Paul 🙂

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- Paul commented on 21 Nov 2012:
  
  Better safe than sorry! And definitely don’t light matches on space stations!: /spacen12-zone/2012/11/21/what-would-happen-if-you-lit-a-match-while-in-space-if-anything/
  
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Question: What is on the top of a match ?