Rührstab

Rührstab is a German term that translates to "stirring rod" in English. It refers to a simple laboratory tool used for mixing or stirring substances. Rührstäbe are typically made of glass, but can also be found in plastic or metal for specific applications.

The most common type of glass rührstab is a solid glass rod with rounded ends. This design allows for easy cleaning and prevents scratching of glassware. In a laboratory setting, a rührstab is used for various purposes, including dissolving solids in liquids, homogenizing mixtures, and facilitating chemical reactions by ensuring uniform distribution of reactants. They are also used to scrape down the sides of beakers or flasks to ensure all material is incorporated into the mixture.

Rührstäbe come in various lengths and diameters to suit different vessel sizes and viscosities of the substances being stirred. While often used manually, they can also be employed in conjunction with magnetic stirrers, where a rotating magnetic field causes a stir bar (a small magnetic rod) within the liquid to spin, thus stirring the mixture. However, a simple rührstab is a fundamental and indispensable tool in many scientific disciplines due to its simplicity and effectiveness.