What is magnetic stirrer bar?

A magnetic stirrer bar, also known as a flea or mixer bar, is a small magnet that is used to stir liquids in a container. It is usually made of a hard magnetic material, such as alnico or samarium cobalt, and has a cylindrical or oval shape. The magnetic stirrer bar is placed inside the container, and a rotating magnetic field is applied from below to make it spin. This rotation creates a vortex in the liquid, which helps to mix the contents of the container.

Magnetic stirrer bars come in various sizes and shapes, depending on the application. Some are coated with a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) layer to prevent reactions between the bar and the liquid. They are commonly used in laboratories, industrial settings, and in home brewing. Magnetic stirrers are used for mixing liquids, suspending solids, or creating a homogeneous mixture. They are particularly useful for solutions that require a continuous stirring process, and for reactions that require a uniform distribution of reactants.

One advantage of using magnetic stirrers is that they are relatively easy to clean and sanitize. They do not need to be in direct contact with the liquid, which helps to prevent contamination. They are also energy-efficient since they use a rotating magnetic field to stir instead of an electrical motor. Overall, magnetic stirrer bars are a versatile and useful tool for stirring and mixing liquids in many different applications.