Magnetic Properties of Minerals
Minerals are naturally occurring solid substances that have physical and chemical properties that are used to identify and classify them. Minerals can also have magnetic properties, or the ability to be attracted to a magnetic field. This magnetism is due to the presence of certain elements within the mineral, such as iron or chromium. Magnetism in minerals can be a useful characteristic when identifying minerals or helping to determine their applications to different industries.
The magnetic properties of minerals arise from the presence of iron, chromium, nickel and cobalt, which are all ferromagnetic elements. When these elements are present in a mineral, they can affect the magnetic field around it and can create a measurable attraction. The degree of magnetism varies depending on the amount of these elements present and the form they take exist in. For instance, chrome diopside has a moderate magnetic response due to its chromium content while magnetite is highly magnetic due to the presence of iron.
When considering a mineral’s magnetic properties, there are several measures that can be taken. The first is to measure the degree of magnetic attraction. This is done by either placing the mineral near a magnet and measuring the degree of attraction, or using a magnetometer to measure the magnetic activity directly. This measure of magnetism is known as the ‘susceptibility’. A second measure is to measure the direction of the attraction by using a device that can measure the directional forces of magnetism.
Many minerals have the capacity to retain magnetic properties well after the field has been removed. This is known as ‘remanence’ and is an important factor for many applications such as electricity generation and navigation. Additionally, substances with high remanence can be magnetized, or their magnetism increased by the application of an external magnetic field. The susceptibility and remanence of a mineral can determine itssuitabilityfor certain applications.
Minerals which exhibit magnetic properties are mainly utilized in industrial applications, such as separating objects by magnetic force.Certainminerals, such as magnetite, can be used in the medical field as an MRI contrast agent, and can be used to detect metallic objects in the body. Iron ore is also used in making steel and other metal alloys.
In conclusion, magnetic properties of minerals are the result of the presence of certain elements within them and vary depending on the degree and type of these elements present. The measures of magnetic attraction, susceptibility, remanence and direction of the field can be used to determine the suitability of the mineral for different applications. Minerals with magnetic properties are mainly used in industrial applications and also have a variety of other applications, such as medical and engineering.
