2006-11-21 16:17:25 · 7 answers · asked by Mim 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Maybe it's just me, but I believe it doesn't remove the smell. It only covers the smell with a stronger one, the burning of the phosphorous coating of the matchhead.
2006-11-21 16:24:27 · answer #1 · answered by J_the_ArchE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't do a thing for the odor. The myth is based on burning off the methane. But methane is odorless and, by the time you strike a match, is so well dissipated that you'd have to have a very long-lasting flame and move it around vigorously to get at even a small amount of the methane released.
The real culprits are carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide and these are not that combustible. The best thing to do is to invest in good deodorizer or guard the door.
2006-11-21 17:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by Luha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how bad the smell. If its really toxic, you might want to open a window before striking a match! The whole place could blow up!!
2006-11-21 16:22:49 · answer #3 · answered by noOne 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Supposedly, something to do with the sulpher smell of the match light overpowering the odor of the restroom...
2006-11-21 16:26:02 · answer #4 · answered by purplepartygirrl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chemistry was not my strong suit but I think that I remember this!
Yes, it burns off the methane gas.
I think that methane is highly combustable.
May you never run out of matches!
2006-11-21 16:23:35 · answer #5 · answered by blatt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It works. Somehow it absorbs the smell.
2006-11-21 16:23:26 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hahaha, my ex always used to do that...and yes for some reason it worked!
2006-11-21 16:26:10 · answer #7 · answered by ME 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋