What is striking a match an example of?

A) providing activation energy to a physical reaction

B) providing activation energy to a chemical reaction

C) an endothermic reaction

D) an endothermic process

Answer: option B) providing activation energy to a chemical reaction.

Justification:

1) The combustion of a match is a very exothermic energy process.

2) That means that the reaction liberates a high amount of energy.

3) Process that liberate energy are told to be favourable, this is the productos of the reaction are in a more favorable stable position than before reacting. Then why then do not happen spontaeously? It is because the reactions follow a determined path and that path involves the consumption of energy (named activation energy) to form an activated complex that will then lead to the final formation of the products.

4) That means that to start the products must absorb some energy (the activation energy). Striking a match will provide such activation energy required for the match to ignite and the continue burning. Without this energy the match will never start burning.