Jump to content

Natural Magnetism

Featured Replies

Which rocks and minerals exhibit natural magnetism, except for lodestone? Which of these is the most widespread?

  • 3 months later...

Hi Proteus, I hope this answer is still valid for you.

 

To start, lodestone is actually the name for the naturally magnetised version of the mineral magnetite (Fe3O4) which, to answer the second part of your question, is also probably the most widespread (or at least most commonly found at the surface; I don't know crustal abundances of these minerals) magnetic mineral.

 

Another common magnetic mineral is pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS, where x = 0 through to 0.2). The magnetism of pyrrhotite increases with decreasing iron content. The FeS end-member is called troilite and is non-magnetic (troilite is not a commonly occuring mineral).

 

Other weakly magnetic minerals that I can think of at the moment include;

 

Chromite ((Fe, Mg)Cr2O4)

and

Ilmenite (FeTiO3)

Google "natural magnets", the wikipedia article on them is near the top.

Is this a homework problem?

 

If it was, his teacher has already given him a "Fail" for turning it in so late. ;)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.