Question

Lodestone is magnetic. How might you identify whether a mineral sample might be lodestone?

Answer 1

Hint : Let us first understand the lodestone. Study the lodestone and its characteristics it will make us understand that if the lodestone is magnetic. And then we have to find out if the sample is lodestone or not.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Lodestone is the piece of magnetite or other natural magnetized material, which can be used as a magnet. A naturally magnetized mineral is called magnetite. Lodestone is a block that lets you alter the place compasses point to, and it can be used in all three dimensions. We can use it in the compass to know the directions.
Identifying the mineral sample might be lodestone
Take a magnet and see if the sample of mineral is attracted or repelled by the magnet. Because, all the magnetic materials have magnetic properties and can be attracted to the magnet they are made in contact with. A mineral sample that shows both attraction and repulsion to a magnet is called magnetic material. If the sample passes this test it might be lodestone. It is not necessarily lodestone however. Some forms of Cobalt and Nickel are also natural magnets. Further tests such as the streak test and density would be required to be sure the sample is lodestone.

Note :
Here, to identify any magnetic material if it is magnetic or not we have to make that sample to come in contact with the magnet and if the mineral sample is attracted towards the magnet then it is called as magnetic material. Lodestone is also a magnetic material.