magnetite
2
8.3
- noun
- /ˈmæɡnɪˌtaɪt/
- Specialized
:
magnetita
- A compass-like material, called magnetite, apparently allows the fire ants to sense the normal south-to-north direction of the earth's magnetic field.
- magnetite mineral
- magnetite crystals
- black magnetite
But also many birds are found to have these tiny magnetite crystals in their at the ends of their beaks.
- But also many birds are found to have these tiny magnetite crystals in their at the ends of their beaks.
- A lot of birds and animals and insects have magnetite, so they can pick up on the magnetic field of the Earth and so on.
Examples
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The geologist discovered large deposits of magnetite while exploring the volcanic region.
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A lot of birds and animals and insects have magnetite, so they can pick up on the magnetic field of the Earth and so on.
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Although it might have been a large block of magnetite, it seems more likely that it was an iron meteorite.
Academic text (1995) -
And we argued that these magnetites were formed on Mars.
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Although no one has yet looked for magnetite in sharks, chains of these particles have been found in the tissues of salmon, another ocean.
Academic text (1995) -
In one study, Joe Kirschrink suggested that some animals might sense changes in magnetic fields through minute movements of particles of magnetite embedded within their tissues.
Academic text (1995) -
Today's web surfers rely on magnetic devices to navigate the Internet, but their ancestors were navigating the high seas with magnetite compass needles hundreds of years ago.
Academic text (2003) -
Terrain containing electrically conductive minerals, like iron sulfides (such as pyrite) or iron oxides (such as magnetite), is also very reflective.
Academic text (1991) -
Tiny amounts of a mineral called magnetite in their brains help birds follow the magnetic fields around the Earth.
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In the case of magnetite, temperature can change whether the material is a conductor or an insulator.
Synonyms
1
8.8
A naturally magnetic rock that attracts iron or steel
A naturally magnetic stone that attracts pieces of iron
A dark rock with much iron that sticks to a magnet and people use to make iron
How Magnetic
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Magnetite comes from the Greek root magnet- (from 'magnes', a kind of stone that 'pulls' iron) and the ending -ite meaning 'stone' or 'rock' used for minerals. So magnetite is literally an 'attracting stone', which fits because it is a black, iron-rich mineral in rocks that magnets can pick up.