95 Magnetic Rocks-Mid

Magnetic Rocks FOCUS Question What kinds of natural materials stick to magnets?

Metal and Magnets Have you ever played with magnets? Maybe there are magnets on your refrigerator. Some toys also have magnets in them. A magnet is a special piece of metal. It pulls on, or attracts other pieces of metal. But where do magnets come from?

Magnets come from rocks. Some rocks are made mostly of metal. These metal rocks are attracted to magnets That means they stick to magnets. Other metal rocks are magnets. That means they attract certain kinds of metal.

Magnetite Magnetite is a special kind of rock. It sticks to magnets. Magnetite is made of a metal called iron. The iron is what sticks to magnets. Lots of rocks have some iron in them. But magnetite is almost all iron. Try This Some sand has small bits of magnetite in it. Run a magnet through sand. See if the magnet picks up any small, dark pieces. You found magnetite!

Some people use big magnets to find magnetite in the ground. This helps them find iron. People use iron to make many things. Cars, buildings, and bridges are made with iron. Machines and tools are made of iron, too. Magnets also help pull iron out of other rocks that people don't want. Do You Know? Iron is in your blood You get it from many foods you eat. Your body uses iron to stay healthy.

Making Magnets Every magnet has a magnetic field around it. You can't see it. but it's there, A magnet attracts certain metals if they come into its magnetic field. You can put metal in a strong magnetic field, like next to a big magnet. If it's the right kind of metal, it will become a magnet, too.