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The closest thing that we have to alchemy (while being accurate) is physics, astronomy and chemistry. Physics is the study of the 118 atoms that we know of today (the elements) while chemistry is the study of their combinations. Astronomy is the study of the stars, planets and other astronomical matter.  Fun Facts Alchemists used symbols to keep their work secret (these symbols are like the abbreviations we use for elements.) Alchemists are also referred to as the first chemists.  Abu Gibber made complicated recipes, so complicated that no one could understand his recipies. His name, Gibber, is thought to help form the word ‘gibberish’ for ‘nonsense’. Isacc Newton is known for doing alchemy along with other scientific work.  Alchemy started in Egypt and China around the second century B.C., then traveled west into Europe.  Ice and Benzene in Beakers/Hielo y Benzene en tazas - Credit/Credito: Image Quest by Britannica Alquimia hoy y hechos...

Three of the most important things an alchemist had is mercury, sulfur and heat. Mercury easily unites with other metals, most likely due to its liquid state at room temperature. Alchemists called sulfur “the stone that burns” because it blows up on contact with water. Alchemists would roast the sulfur to prepare it. They would take amalgam (mercury combined with some other substances)  and would mix it with sulfur to create different colors of metals. Alchemists believed that less valuable metals (like lead) were immature and early versions of precious metals (like gold and silver). The processes that alchemists went through were to try and purify base metals (lead and other less valuable metals) by mimicking nature. They would do this by using pressure and heat, along with combining substances. An alchemist trying to create gold/Un alquimista tratando de crear oro - Credit/Credito: Britannica School High ¿Como trataron a cambiar un metal a otro?: Alquimia parte cinco...

Alchemists used all sorts of substances, but they had seven main metals. These metals are: gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron and tin. Each metal has a certain meanings and uses to alchemists.  Gold represented perfection of anything, most notably the mind, spirit, and soul. The symbol of silver can also represent the moon. Mercury is a useful metal in alchemy; used in transforming metals from one to another. Copper is another metal used in alchemy. Lead is the first and oldest metal to be used in alchemy. The symbol of iron can also represent Mars. The symbol for tin can also represent Jupiter. Alchemists also use other substances in alchemy. Some of these substances are: antimony, arsenic, bismuth, magnesium in the form of magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3 ), phosphorus, platinum, potassium as potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ), sulfur and zinc. Antimony represents the wild spirit of man, it can also be represented by a wolf. Arsenic is anoth...