Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
One goal of alchemy, the transmutation of base substances into gold, is now known to be impossible by means of traditional chemistry, but possible by other physical means. Although not financially worthwhile, gold was synthesized in particle accelerators as early as 1941.
Alchemical symbols were used to denote chemical elements and compounds, as well as alchemical apparatus and processes, until the 18th century. Although notation was partly standardized, style and symbol varied between alchemists.
The term transmutation dates back to alchemy.Alchemists pursued the philosopher's stone, capable of chrysopoeia – the transformation of base metals into gold. [3] While alchemists often understood chrysopoeia as a metaphor for a mystical or religious process, some practitioners adopted a literal interpretation and tried to make gold through physical experimentation.
Nicolas Guibert (c. 1547 – c. 1620) was a Franco-German physician and alchemist who later became a fierce critic of alchemy, opposing ideas on transmutation in his major work Alchymia ratione et experientia ita demum viriliter impugnata (1603) which prompted a debate. He has been called the "Copernicus of chemistry". [1]
Transmutation of species, Inheritance of acquired characteristics, Lysenkoism – first theories of evolution. Not supported by experiment, and rendered obsolete by Darwinian evolution and Mendelian genetics , combined in the modern synthesis which finds that genes in the form of DNA are the primary way parental characteristics are passed to ...
The word 'alchemy' itself derives from the Arabic word al-kīmiyāʾ (الكيمياء), wherein al-is the definite article 'the'. The ultimate origin of the word is uncertain, [ 1 ] but the Arabic term kīmiyāʾ ( كيمياء ) is likely derived from either the Ancient Greek word khēmeia ( χημεία ) or the similar khēmia ( χημία ).
Dimensional transmutation, a physical mechanism providing a linkage between a dimensionless parameter and a dimensionful parameter; Nuclear transmutation, the conversion of a chemical element or isotope into another chemical element or isotope
Depiction of Sedziwój performing a transmutation for Sigismund III by Jan Matejko, 1867. Projection was the ultimate goal of Western alchemy.Once the philosopher's stone or powder of projection had been created, the process of projection would be used to transmute a lesser substance into a higher form; often lead into gold.