Answer:
The reaction has a high activation energy
Explanation:
The burning of methane is a spontaneous reaction. Once the burning begins, the flame is able to sustain itself without any additional input of energy. It is an exothermic reaction in which energy is given out in the form of heat.
The reason why heat from the match is needed to start the burning of methane is that the activation energy of the combustion of methane is high. Activation energy is the energy that must be supplied in order for the collision of reactants to result in chemical reaction.
As long as the activation energy is high, the reaction can not occur without an external input of energy (e.g striking a match). Hence the answer.
