Magnetic stirrer
A stir bar mixing a solution on a combined hot-plate magnetic-stirrer device; the left knob controls the stirring rate and the right knob controls heating | |
| Other names | Magnetic mixer |
|---|---|
| Uses | Liquid mixing |
| Inventor | Arthur Rosinger |
| Related items | Vortex mixer, static mixer |
A magnetic stirrer or magnetic mixer is a laboratory device that employs a rotating magnetic field to cause a stir bar (or flea) immersed in a liquid to spin very quickly, thus stirring it. The rotating field may be created either by a rotating magnet or a set of stationary electromagnets, placed beneath the vessel with the liquid. It is used in chemistry and biology as a convenient way to stir small volumes and where other forms of stirring, such as overhead stirrers and stirring rods, may not be viable.