2007-04-09 10:39:33 · 3 answers · asked by kaleena 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I don't know where you got your information but hematite is NOT magnetic, magnetite is magnetic. Magnetite (Fe3O4) is a combination of hematite (Fe2O3) and iron oxide (FeO). It has many domains (which are tiny magnets) that align themselves to the Earth's magnetic field. It doesn't repel itself because each north pole is attracted to an adjacent south pole, and the entire crystal is a sum of all the individual domains.
2007-04-09 12:02:18 · answer #1 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hematite (Fe2O3) is made of Fe-oxide. Though mostly ferric Fe (Fe3+), some can be Fe2+ which is more magnetic, so it can be slightly magnetic overall.
It doesn't make sense to say "repel itself" ...
It likely does not have magnetic poles, but the individual Fe-grains that make up the mineral could be aligned with the Earth's magnetic field in which they formed.
2007-04-09 18:47:15 · answer #2 · answered by asgspifs 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the rock itself is magnetic. it has a metal in it that makes it magnetic, iron. and it cannot repel itself. if it did, the rock would crumble. only the magnetic poles of the earth are the reason why everything has a north and south.
2007-04-09 18:39:29 · answer #3 · answered by gonavy271 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋