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History of Chemistry. Alchemy?. What is Alchemy?. Alchemy is the ancient art of trying to achieve wisdom and immortality through the manipulation of elements. The origins of alchemy are generally unknown but we believe it began in Greece or Egypt. Alchemist.
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History of Chemistry Alchemy?
What is Alchemy? • Alchemy is the ancient art of trying to achieve wisdom and immortality through the manipulation of elements. • The origins of alchemy are generally unknown but we believe it began in Greece or Egypt.
Alchemist • Their main goal was the transmutation of ordinary metals into gold. • Not just regular gold though, gold that could be ingested and would cure all illness and make you immortal.
Proto-Chemistry • Alchemy is considered a pre-chemistry, or proto-chemistry. • Through alchemy we have gotten herbal remedies, alloys, and most importantly a desire to manipulate the world around us!
Aristotle • Believed everything was made of a combination of 4 elements. • If you could figure out the exact ratio of each element in an object you could recreate it!
Properties of Matter • The Greeks believed in 4 basic elements: • Air • Water • Fire • Earth + Aether (an invisible substance making up space. What light travels through.)