can you explain alchemy?

Answer 1

Alchemy was/is the belief that one can scientifically change the properties of lead into the properties of gold.

This was a process that began in Ancient Greece, but it was heavily investigated from the Medieval times up until the 1800's. Scientists, masonry officials, & blacksmiths all tried to turn lead into gold, but to no avail.

Many people, especially those in Salem (Massachusetts) during the Witch Trials, who participated in this endeavor were often labeled as "sorcerers" or practitioners of witchcraft. Needless to say, efforts to transform one metal into another were futile.

Answer 2

Alchemy became initially the learn of scientists hundreds of years in the past. They believed that one and all metals have been created from the comparable user-friendly supplies. With that reasoning, they concept they might regulate the makeup of one steel and change it into something else--in many situations gold. nevertheless they did no longer get everywhere with it, they did unexpectedly arise with gunpowder and began the effortless innovations of chemistry. at present the assumption of alchemy has been quite distorted right into a glorified seek for the Elixir of existence and the reality seeker's Stone inclusive of interior the Harry Potter series. it is likewise each and every so often seen because of fact the potential to remodel one ingredient into yet another, as interior the anime Fullmetal Alchemist.

Answer 3

Alchemy is the forerunner to modern chemistry. It had as its ultimate goal the conversion of base metals to gold. The "grail" of alchemy was the philosopher's stone, which had the property of being able to effect such conversions.

Alchemists also had practical occupations as well. It is reputed that Stradivari used the services of alchemy to find finishes for his instruments, giving them their extraordinary sound.

Answer 4

Alchemy is the conversion of one substance to another.

Of late it is taken to mean on the elemental level, such as lead (pb) into gold (au).

Short of fission and fusion, that ain't gonna happen.

However, the further back you go, the more reasonable the study of alchemy seems. For instance, if you add vinegar to baking soda, you get a third substance with very different properties. Is that magic? Is that an extremely predictable chemical reaction?

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
-- Arthur C. Clarke

Answer 5

In the history of science, alchemy refers to both an early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline, both combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art all as parts of one greater force.
The best known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold or silver (less well known is plant alchemy), the creation of a "panacea or the elixir of life," a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely; and the discovery of a universal solvent.
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy

Answer 6

The roots of alchemy date back to an ancient Egypt document called The Emerald Tablet of Thoth. In Greece Thoth was called Hermes the MagicianHermes Trismegistus which is thought to be the foundation of alchemy. Thoth stated, 'As is Above, So is Below', the duality of our experience in third dimension.

Answer 7

Alchemy is changing base into gold. Inner alchemy is changing one's self for the better - usually in a spiritual sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy

Answer 8

Alchemy is changing a base element into another. There were many mystics that tried to change say coal into gold. They of course, never succeeded. Crowley was one that really tried, he considered himself a alchemist.

Answer 9

Alchemy was basicly an early form of chemistry with one major differance they they were quite concerned with finding ways of turning one base substance into another the most famous of these is turning lead into gold as lead was cheap and gold is valuble.

Answer 10

It's a pseudoscience that I've found interesting. Well, I think that those who've practiced it before didn't just go for the gold. There was something else......something-elusive.

Unfortunately, I, too, still don't know what it is.

Note: I don't practice it. Just immensely interested in studying it. Too much of a Christian Catholic if you ask me. LOL