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Magnetite
Iron ore mineral / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Magnetite is a mineral and one of the main iron ores, with the chemical formula Fe2+Fe3+2O4. It is one of the oxides of iron, and is ferrimagnetic;[6] it is attracted to a magnet and can be magnetized to become a permanent magnet itself.[7][8] With the exception of extremely rare native iron deposits, it is the most magnetic of all the naturally occurring minerals on Earth.[7][9] Naturally magnetized pieces of magnetite, called lodestone, will attract small pieces of iron, which is how ancient peoples first discovered the property of magnetism.[10]
Magnetite | |
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![]() Magnetite from Bolivia | |
General | |
Category |
|
Formula (repeating unit) | iron(II,III) oxide, Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
IMA symbol | Mag[1] |
Strunz classification | 4.BB.05 |
Crystal system | Isometric |
Crystal class | Hexoctahedral (m3m) H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m) |
Space group | Fd3m (no. 227) |
Unit cell | a = 8.397 Å; Z = 8 |
Identification | |
Color | Black, gray with brownish tint in reflected sun |
Crystal habit | Octahedral, fine granular to massive |
Twinning | On {Ill} as both twin and composition plane, the spinel law, as contact twins |
Cleavage | Indistinct, parting on {Ill}, very good |
Fracture | Uneven |
Tenacity | Brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 5.5–6.5 |
Luster | Metallic |
Streak | Black |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 5.17–5.18 |
Solubility | Dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Major varieties | |
Lodestone | Magnetic with definite north and south poles |
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Magnetite_sample_with_neodymium_magnet.jpg/640px-Magnetite_sample_with_neodymium_magnet.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Kristallstruktur_Magnetit.png/640px-Kristallstruktur_Magnetit.png)
Magnetite is black or brownish-black with a metallic luster, has a Mohs hardness of 5–6 and leaves a black streak.[7] Small grains of magnetite are very common in igneous and metamorphic rocks.[11]
The chemical IUPAC name is iron(II,III) oxide and the common chemical name is ferrous-ferric oxide.[12]