# Why does striking a tiny match... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2011, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280 "2011-01-28T09:14:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/1 "2011-01-28T09:14:47Z")
…cover up a large bad smell? Scientific reason, please. ---
**Author:** ![Hennessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/2 "2011-01-28T09:30:18Z")
That is an interesting question although I never noticed it myself. I can’t get too scientific (or serious for that matter) but I would say the reason is from the human senses. The new smell takes over your senses maybe because it is a new smell. Or maybe it works in the same fashion as Febreeze works which I can’t remember but it releases “scent molecules” (my term) that spread over the old ones which die (?) quicker (masking the smell) than the long term smelly enzymes. Anyway, don’t believe what I say, I’m just curious if I’m anywhere close to the facts. This is just my WAG. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/3 "2011-01-28T10:02:45Z")
Burning a match releases sulfur dioxide. Sulfur is one of the chemicals in the match head. The smell of the sulfur helps mask the methane gas released in farts and poop. > **[Match](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match)** > > A match is a tool for starting a fire. Typically, matches are made of small wooden sticks or stiff paper. One end is coated with a material that can be ignited by friction generated by striking the match against a suitable surface. Wooden matches are packaged in matchboxes, and paper matches are partially cut into rows and stapled into matchbooks. The coated end of a match, known as the match "head", consists of a bead of active ingredients and binder, often colored for easier inspection. Ther ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/4 "2011-01-28T10:07:00Z")
Which then begs the question why is sulfur dioxide so much less objectionable? ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/5 "2011-01-28T11:39:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Burning a match releases sulfur dioxide. Sulfur is one of the chemicals in the match head. The smell of the sulfur helps mask the methane gas released in farts and poop. > [Match - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match) Methane is odorless, the smelly parts of flatus are hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan ([Account Suspended](http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/03/franklins_kite_flatulence.html) ). ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/6 "2011-01-28T12:10:56Z")
Maybe the smell of something burning supersedes the smell of poop as a matter of survival. ---
**Author:** ![SGT42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@SGT42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SGT42)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/7 "2011-01-28T12:47:37Z")
Methane, hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are all flamable gasses. May be the flame of the match ignites them, forming inodorous water and carbon dioxide and odorous sulphur dioxide, that anyway is present in the match flame. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/8 "2011-01-28T13:11:31Z")
Sulphur is a common component of pungently smelly stuiff - the smell of onions, for example, includes mercaptobutanone (a sulphur compound) and dimethyl sulphide - I expect the sulphur dioxide from the burth match head binds more readily to the scent receptors, and keeps them busy. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/9 "2011-01-28T13:42:23Z")
> [@SGT42](#): > > Methane, hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are all flamable gasses. May be the flame of the match ignites them, forming inodorous water and carbon dioxide and odorous sulphur dioxide, that anyway is present in the match flame. wouldn’t that spark a trail of flame, engulfing your bathroom? i’m guess it’s a combination of masking and the other gasses and the sulfur from the match interacting with the other gasses. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/10 "2011-01-28T14:03:12Z")
Just a nitpick for all of the Americans in this thread: The proper spelling for the element (and its ionic form) in question is _sulfur_ and _sulfide_. This is also the accepted international (IUPAC) standard spelling in the sciences. _Sulphur_ and _sulphide_ are Britishisms. They are also often seen in American place names and in literature, but are not the accepted spelling in the sciences. For you British and Commonwealth folks, carry on. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/11 "2011-01-28T14:08:16Z")
It’s simple distraction. If I whack your hand with a hammer your headache will instantly disappear. Most matches stink worse than most farts. Only smokers who’ve been using matches for years don’t find the stench of matches borderline unbearable. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/12 "2011-01-28T14:58:35Z")
Aw, come on- matches smell like the Fourth of July! Well, to me, they do. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/13 "2011-01-28T15:04:52Z")
The human sense of smell is very responsive to particular odors, and sulfur is one of them. To drill down any deeper into the matter, one must inquire: \* Why does the human sense of smell respond to sulfur so strongly? \* One now needs to understand the biology/chemistry involved at a molecular level. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/14 "2011-01-28T17:42:28Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > To drill down any deeper into the matter, one must inquire: \* Why does the human sense of smell respond to sulfur so strongly? \* If I had to put a wager on it: because most sulfur is bound up in organic molecules in ways that we can’t smell. It is released in smellable compounds during decomposition. Detecting these compounds is a good way to identify rotten meat or vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/15 "2011-01-28T17:42:45Z")
Sulfur is odorless. cite: [http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/16.html](http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/16.html) 'Tis certain sulfur compounds what stinks. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/16 "2011-01-28T17:45:12Z")
> [@SGT42](#): > > Methane, hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are all flamable gasses. May be the flame of the match ignites them, forming inodorous water and carbon dioxide and odorous sulphur dioxide, that anyway is present in the match flame. Mythbusters experimented with flatus level concentrations of those gases and found no change in concentration after lighting a match. > **[Account Suspended](http://kwc.org/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi)** ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/17 "2011-01-28T20:19:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Only smokers who’ve been using matches for years don’t find the stench of matches borderline unbearable. That’s not true for me ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/18 "2011-01-28T20:35:19Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Most matches stink worse than most farts. Only smokers who’ve been using matches for years don’t find the stench of matches borderline unbearable. I don’t smoke and rarely strike a match (butane lighters are much easier for starting a fireplace, grill, etc.), but I do like the smell. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/19 "2011-01-28T21:37:49Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Aw, come on- matches smell like the Fourth of July! > > Well, to me, they do. It’s exactly this kind of associative-sense-memory that makes drunk people smell like paint to me. (My dad only got drunk when he was painting.) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280/20 "2011-01-28T21:41:23Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Just a nitpick for all of the Americans in this thread: The proper spelling for the element (and its ionic form) in question is _sulfur_ and _sulfide_. This is also the accepted international (IUPAC) standard spelling in the sciences. > > … but are not the accepted spelling in the sciences. Since we’re not writing for an American scientific journal on this board, and we have an international audience, we’re free to use either spelling based on whim. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-striking-a-tiny-match/569280.md?page=2)