Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

 

Magnetite

Magnetite

Magnetite from the Kola Peninsula, Russia

General
Category Mineral
Chemical formula iron(II),(III) oxide Fe3O4
Identification
Colour Black, greyish
Crystal habit Octahedral, fine granular to massive,
Crystal system Isometric
Cleavage Indistinct
Fracture Uneven
Mohs Scale hardness 5.5 - 6.5
Luster Metallic
Refractive index Opaque
Pleochroism None
Streak Black
Specific gravity 5.17 - 5.18
Fusibility  ?
Solubility  ?
Major varieties
Lodestone Magnetic and definitely with north and south poles

Magnetite is a magnetic mineral form of both iron(II) oxide and iron(III) oxide or (iron(II,III) oxide), with chemical formula Fe3O4, one of several iron oxides and a member of the spinel group.

Magnetite is the most magnetic of all the minerals on Earth, and these magnetic properties led to lodestone being used as an early form of magnetic compass.

Small grains of magnetite occur in almost all igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks as well as many sedimentary rocks. Magnetite is a valuable source of iron ore. It dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid.

Large deposits of magnetite are found in Kiruna, Sweden, and in the Adirondack region of New York in the United States. Deposits are also found in Norway, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa, India, Mexico, and in Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado in the United States.

Magnetite is sometimes found in large quantities in beach sand. Such mineral sands or iron sands or black sands are found in various places such as California and the west coast of New Zealand. The magnetite is carried to the beach via rivers from erosion and is concentrated via wave action and currents.

Crystals of magnetite have been found in some bacteria (e.g., Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum ) and in the brains of bees, of termites, of some birds (e.g., the pigeon), and of humans. These crystals are thought to be involved in magnetoreception , the ability to sense the polarity or the inclination of the earth's magnetic field, and to be involved in navigation.

See also

External links

The contents of this article are licensed from Wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. How to see transparent copy