Abstract:
The measurement of the magnetic degree and magnetic susceptibility of iron sand deposited
along Padang beach West Sumatra has been done. The amount of sample of each location
was 10 Kg. The sample was completely dried under sun ray before being processed by iron
sand separator. The value of total magnetic induction was measured using a magnetic sensor
called Pasco magnetic probe PS-2162. Prior to magnetic measurement, it was preparared a
rectangular solenoid of 400 turns with the length of 10,0 cm, and side of 3,0 cm. The
concentrate of iron sand obtained from iron sand separator was inserted as a core of the
solenoid. The total magnetic induction value was measured as a funcion of applied current (2-
10A) to the solenoid and horizontal distance (1-5 mm). The results of this research showed
that the highest magnetic degree value of iron sand was obtained from the sample of location
B with the value of 5.5%, while the lowest value of magnetic degree was originated from
location A with the value of 1.5%. Moreover, the total magnetic induction of the solenoid
increased as electric current of the solenoid was increased, and the total value of magnetic
induction decreased as a function of the horizontal distance. It was observed that the highest
value of magnetic susceptibility was obtained from location B with the value of 4.84 × 10-4
m3 / kg, and the lowest value of magnetic susceptibility from location A with the value of
3.03 × 10-4 m3 / kg. The magnetic susceptibility values obtained were within the interval of
0,001 x 10-4 m3 / kg to 11 x 10-4 m3 / kg, which means that iron sand concentrate derived
from Padang beach contains of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4.
