Description:
Magnetite is a natural magnet, hence the name, giving
it a very nice distinguishing characteristic. Explaining
the magnetism is not easy but here is a go at it. Remember,
electricity produces magnetic fields just as magnetism
produces electic fields. Magnetite is a member of the
spinel group which has the standard formula A(B)2O4.
The A and B represent usually different metal ions that
occupy specific sites in the crystal structure. In the
case of magnetite, Fe3O4, the A metal is Fe +2 and the
B metal is Fe +3; two different metal ions in two specific
sites. This arrangement causes a transfer of electrons
between the different irons in a structured path or
vector. This electric vector generates the magnetic
field. |