Physics and ChemistryChemical Elements |
What were the two main aims of alchemy? |
The main aim of alchemy, the early study of chemical reactions, was the transmutation (or transformation) of common elements into gold. Needless to say, all attempts to change a substance into gold were unsuccessful. A second aim of alchemy was to discover an elixir or universal remedy that would promote everlasting life. Again, this pursuit was unsuccessful.