In the simple act of lighting a match, chemical energy stored in the match head is transformed into heat and light. What is true about this energy transformation? A. Most of the energy is lost when the match is struck. B. New energy in the form of light and heat is created when the match is struck. C. All of the potential chemical energy is transformed into heat and light energy. D. Some of the chemical energy is transformed into heat and light, and the rest is converted into matter.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: C. All of the potential chemical energy is transformed into heat and light energy.
Explanation
When a match is struck, it undergoes a chemical reaction known as combustion. The match head typically contains chemicals like potassium chlorate, sulfur, and other substances that react when friction provides enough activation energy. This reaction breaks chemical bonds in the match head and forms new bonds in the resulting products (such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases), releasing energy in the process.
This released energy is not “new” energy being created. According to the law of conservation of energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed—only transformed from one form to another. In the case of the match, chemical potential energy stored in the materials is transformed into thermal (heat) energy and electromagnetic (light) energy. The flame and heat you see are manifestations of this energy transformation.
Option A is incorrect because energy is not “lost” in the sense of disappearing. While some energy may not be usefully directed (e.g., some heat escapes into the air), it still exists in a transformed state.
Option B is also incorrect because energy is not created—it is transformed. The light and heat are forms of energy already present in the match as chemical potential energy.
Option D is scientifically inaccurate. While Einstein’s famous equation (E=mc²) shows a relationship between mass and energy, ordinary chemical reactions like striking a match do not convert matter into energy in a measurable way.
Thus, the correct understanding is that all the chemical energy is transformed, though not all of it becomes useful heat and light. Some may go into sound energy or be dispersed in other ways, but it is still energy. Therefore, the most accurate and scientifically sound answer is C.
