ACTIVITY NO.
8: The Contributions of the Alchemists to the Science of Chemistry
NAME: DATE:
YEAR & SECTION: SCORE:
Concept Notes:
Long before the fundamentals of chemistry were established, there was alchemy. Alchemy was a speculative science
with goals of finding the elixir of life and the philosopher’s stone, which could transform base metals into gold.
How did alchemy evolve into the science of chemistry?
Alchemy was a protoscientific tradition practiced in Asia, Egypt, and Europe.
Asian Alchemy
Alchemy developed independently in India. Major accomplishments of Indian alchemists included isolation of
metallic zinc, the invention of steel, and use of flame to identify metals.
In China, alchemy was started by monks. The creation of gold was an aim, but the ultimate goal was
prolonging life. While trying to find the elixir of life, the Chinese were able to invent gunpowder. Also, through
their experiments with sulfur, mercury, and arsenic, they were able to create poisons such as mercuric sulfide.
In Baghdad, Jabir Ibn Hayyan, a famous Islamic alchemist, used controlled experiments in his investigations.
He was diligent in writing his activities and observations. His works were the first to mention silver nitrate and
red oxide of mercury (mercuric oxide). His writings also described a handful of laboratory techniques —
distillation, crystallization, reduction, calcination, dissolution, and sublimation.
Egyptian Alchemy
Alchemy probably evolved from the Egyptian metallurgy, extending back to 3500 B.C. Some of the Egyptian
documents on alchemy contained manufacturing of imitation gold and silver. They also contained recipes for
dyes and procedures for making artificial gemstones and fabricating pearls. The recipes and procedures were
combined with the knowledge of the classical elements, air, fire, water, and earth.
European Alchemy
Alchemy also thrived in Europe. One of the foremost alchemists was Paracelsus, who believed that the organs
of the body worked alchemically. He proposed that the three essentials or tria prima, salt, mercury, and sulfur,
should be balanced to maintain health. He also treated diseases with alchemical approach. He used inorganic
salts, minerals, and metals to treat illnesses. He also created laudanum, an opium tincture used as a
The Death of Alchemy and the Beginning of Chemistry
As time passed by, the writings of alchemists became more and more cryptic. They used unintelligible names
for substances. They borrowed symbols and words from myths. Even the simplest formula read like a magic
spell. Even though they used common techniques, alchemists had no standardized scientific practice.
By the 17th century, alchemy began to decline, as the scientific method was being established. Although
alchemists failed in their lofty goals, they left behind a rich knowledge of chemical information. They
contributed to the vast uses of chemicals such as inks, paints, and cosmetics. They were able to create
procedures to prepare liquors. They developed porcelain material that became China’s most valuable
commodity. Their contributions had been valuable to advancing civilization.
Nonetheless, alchemy had been crucial in the development of the field of Chemistry.
Key Points
Alchemy was a speculative science with goals of finding the elixir of life and transforming base metals into
gold.
Alchemy was a protoscientific tradition practiced in Egypt, Asia, and Europe.
Although alchemists failed in their lofty goals, they left behind a rich knowledge of chemical information.
Alchemy had been crucial in the development of the field of Chemistry.
Exercises: Read each statement carefully. Encircle the letter/s of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following describe alchemy?
a. It was the practice of the scientific method.
b. It was a speculative science practiced by alchemists.
c. It was a field of science based on logic and experimentation.
d. It was a protoscientific tradition practiced in Australia, Canada, and America.
2. Which of the following was believed by the alchemists as the material that could transform base
metals into gold?
a. elixir of life b. elixir of immortality c. laudanum d. philosopher's stone
3. Who among the following invented the gunpowder?
a. Chinese b. Egyptians c. Europeans d. Indians
4. Which of the following is not a contribution of alchemists to modern chemistry?
a. isolated metallic zinc c. discovered subatomic particles
b. invented steel and gunpowder d. developed distillation and extraction
5. Which of the following were the contributions of Indian alchemists? (Give 2 answers.)
a. invention of steel c. production of silver nitrate
b. isolation of metallic zinc d. creation of poisons such as mercuric sulfide
6. Which of the following is NOT true about laudanum?
a. It was an opium tincture. c. It was created by Aristotle.
b. It was used as a painkiller. d. It was made by Paracelsus.
7. Which of the following sets of substances comprise the tria prima?
a. mercury, steel, sulfur c. salt, mercury, sulfur
b. mercury, zinc, steel d. steel, salt, sulfur
8. All the following became the problems of the alchemy as time passed by. Which of the following is
NOT?
a. The formula of substances read like magic spells.
b. The alchemists used common laboratory techniques.
c. The symbols of alchemists were borrowed from myths.
d. The alchemists had no standardized scientific practice.
9. Which of the following are contributions of the alchemists to the development of chemistry? (Give 2
answers.)
a. They were able to create procedures to prepare liquors.
b. They discovered the elements copper, uranium, and calcium.
c. They contributed to the vast uses of inks, paints, and cosmetics.
d. They developed spectroscopic techniques for analyzing materials.
10. Alchemists failed to create philosopher's stone, the material that could transform base metals into
gold. But modern scientists can now change base metals such as lead into gold using particle
accelerators. What is the major problem with the use of accelerators?
a. Low-quality gold is produced.
b. The method is very expensive.
c. The method is too dangerous.
d. Lead is more valuable than gold.
