What is a loadstone or a natural magnet?
It is an ore of iron, known as the “protoxide of iron,” or “magnetic oxide of iron,” which is capable of attracting other pieces of iron to itself; and if suspended freely by a thread, and left to take its own position, it will arrange itself so that its extremities will point towards the north and south poles of the earth.
Are natural magnets rare?
They are not; they are found in many places in the United States. In Arkansas, especially, an ore of iron possessing remarkably strong attractive powers is very abundant.
The magnetic ore is usually of a dark gray hue, and possesses but little metallic luster. If a piece of this ore be dipped in iron filings, or a number of small needles, they will generally be found collected and clinging together in great quantities at two opposite extremities, whilst the middle portion is nearly destitute. The magnetic property, whatever it may be, seems therefore to be collected and act with the greatest energy at two opposite extremes; these have been termed poles.
What is the origin of the terms “magnet” and “magnetism”?
The loadstone or natural magnet was first found at Magnesia, in Lydia, Asia, whence were derived the names.
Can a natural magnet communicate its attractive properties to other bodies by contact?
It can, and that too without any apparent loss of attractive strength.
What bodies are capable of being magnetized by contact with natural magnets?