selfstirring

Selfstirring refers to a phenomenon or a device that initiates and sustains stirring without external mechanical intervention. In the context of chemistry and cooking, selfstirring mugs or cups are common examples. These devices typically contain a small battery-powered motor and a propeller or magnetic stirrer at the base, activated by a button. When the button is pressed, the motor spins, creating a vortex that mixes the contents of the mug. This is particularly useful for dissolving powders like coffee creamer, sugar, or instant soup into a beverage.

The concept of selfstirring can also be applied more broadly to natural processes. For instance, in certain chemical reactions, the heat generated by the reaction itself can cause convection currents within the liquid, leading to a form of selfstirring. Similarly, in natural fluid dynamics, phenomena like ocean currents or atmospheric turbulence can be viewed as large-scale selfstirring processes, driven by temperature gradients, pressure differences, or Coriolis forces, which continuously mix and redistribute substances. The term implies an intrinsic ability to generate motion for mixing, whether mechanical or natural.