A
Magnetic Stirrer is a widely used lab equipment in different experiments. It
consists of a small bar magnet which is normally wrapped in plastics
including PTFE. Plastic coating of the magnet or covering it with glass or
porcelain makes it chemically inert. The stirrer also has a stand containing
a rotating magnet or stationary electromagnets which create a rotating
magnetic field.
Working Procedure
A bar magnet is generally placed in a vessel containing a liquid or solution
to be stirred and the container is kept on top of the stand, the creation of
the rotating magnetic field in the stand causes the bar magnet to rotate.
This helps in better stirring and mixing of the liquid or solution.
These stirrers note the denomination of stirring power in "liters of
water", which is a market standard today. These equipment are ideal for
working with volatile solutions. These stirrers are better than the
motorized counterparts as they do not use lubricants, which can contaminate
the vessel and the product. These equipment can however be used only for lab
size experiments.
Advantage of a Magnetic Stirrer
- Creates less noise
- More efficient
- Do not wear out, as there are no moving parts involved
- Compact size, makes it easier to clean
- Can be sterilized easily
Use of Magnetic Stirrer
- Chemical Research
- Petrochemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Clinical Laboratories
- Educational Laboratories
