MadSci Network: Earth Sciences
Query:

Subject: What is the best way to identify rock dust?

Date: Thu Mar 27 22:19:40 1997
Posted by: Anthony
Grade level: 4-6
School/Organization: Nechako Electronic Busing
City: Nanaimo State/Province: B.C.
Country: Canada
Area of science: Earth Sciences
Message ID: 859522780.Es
Message:
What is the best way to identify rock dust?
I found some black powder on our local beach and I used a magnet to 
separate it from the sand. I brought it home and wondered if it was
iron, but our beach sand is grey so if it was iron would the sand be rusty?
I put some of the black stuff in a cup of water for 4 days and it hasn't
rusted. Is there a cheap way to figure out what I've got? I looked in
 the library for minerals books and wondered if I had Magnetite but it
doesn't seem to attract itself to metal paperclips. The librarian said
I should find a geologist and ask my question. Maybe you need to know that
there used to be coal mines under the sea water near here. That wouldn't be coal 
dust would it? Would it be attracted by a magnet?

Re:What is the best way to identify rock dust?

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