Question

Lighting a match results in light and heat. Since energy was not created by the match, what transformation took place?

Answer 1

The end of a match will compose of a chemical (such as sulfur or phosphorus) which, once ignited by a spark, will burn readily. To initiate this we usually create the spark through friction by striking the end of the match against some surface. So,

-If we use our hand to strike the match against the surface, we are converting the chemical energy from the food we consume in our body into mechanical energy with our muscles.
-In lighting the match we are converting the chemical energy from the match itself (sulfur and phosphorus) into thermal energy (energy related to temperature and heat flow) and light energy.
-In creating friction with the surface and the match, our mechanical energy is being converted into some heat energy also.

So overall, we're converting mechanical (our body movement) and chemical energy (the match) into heat and light energy.