How does a magnetic stir plate work?

How does a magnetic stir plate work?

A magnetic stirrer consists of a magnetic bar placed within the liquid which provides the stirring action. The stir bar’s motion is driven by another rotating magnet or assembly of electromagnets in the stirrer device, beneath the vessel containing the liquid.

What is a magnetic stirring hot plate?

A small magnetic bar coated in Teflon or glass, commonly referred to as a flea or stir bar, is submerged in the vessel containing the materials to be stirred. The magnetic stir bar interacts with the rotating magnetic field and is always trying to align itself with the orientation of the field.

What is the function of the stirrer?

The main function of a stirrer is to agitate the liquid for speeding up the reactions or improving mixtures. A magnetic stirrer is often used with hot plates. The stir bar is the magnetic bar which is immersed in the liquid to provide the stirring action.

Do I need a magnetic stirrer?

If you are mixing a low-viscosity liquid in higher volumes, an overhead stirrer is probably the right way to go. However, if your liquid is more viscous and you don’t need the extra capacity that overhead stirrers offer, a magnetic stirrer is a better choice since you don’t have to worry as much about overheating.

Do magnetic stirrers heat up?

This device is used to make a stir bar, immerse in a liquid, quickly spin, or stirring or mixing a solution, for example. A magnetic stirring system generally includes a coupled heating system for heating the liquid (Figure 6.5). Much of the current magnetic stirrers rotate the magnets by means of an electric motor.

What is inside a magnetic stir bar?

A magnetic stir bar is a magnet that is encased in material that won’t react with the fluid it is immersed in. The K&J stir bar magnets included a molded layer of PTFE (a.k.a. Teflon), which is not reactive for many liquids. The magnet is placed within a container and made to spin with an external magnetic field.

What is the use of hot plate?

A hot plate is a self-contained electronic warmer that uses heating elements to control temperatures. Scientific hot plates are generally used to heat samples in glass beakers, flasks, vials, bottles and other vessels. They fit conveniently on laboratory table-tops and feature a small footprint.

Why are magnetic stirrers important?

As mentioned, one of the main benefits of a magnetic stirrer is that it can achieve a very rapid spin rate. This is accomplished through the use of a rotating electro-magnet (or series of such magnets) under the container that holds your specific liquid.

Can a thermometer be used to stir a solution?

Never use a thermometer to stir a liquid. Never allow a thermometer to touch the bottom of a container that is being heated. Read the following directions for using and reading a thermometer. Wait several minutes for the thermometer to adjust to the temperature of the object.

Can you autoclave a magnetic stir bar?

Fisherbrand™ PTFE Micro Magnetic Stir Bar are autoclavable. Guaranteed inert and leak-free.

Why can one not use a Teflon coated stir bar?

Stir bars are typically coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a durable and inert polymer. But they can quickly become discolored, especially when exposed to catalytic metals such as palladium. The researchers also found that these metals could leach into solution and interfere with reactions.