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The History of Chemistry Writing. Gold. Gold is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). For the alchemist, it represented the perfection of all matter on any level, including that of the mind, spirit, and soul. . Phosphorus.
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Gold • Gold is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). • For the alchemist, it represented the perfection of all matter on any level, including that of the mind, spirit, and soul.
Phosphorus • Alchemists often used light as a symbol of the spirit, therefore they were especially interested in light that seemed to be trapped in matter such as phosphorus. • Some glow-in-the-dark substances contain phosphorus • Phosphorus element is easily ignited and is used in matchsticks.
Arsenic • The elemental alchemy symbol arsenic was used for medicinal and magical cures. • A compound of arsenic and sulfur were said to induce trances of enlightenment and philosophical ascension and direction.
Mercury • Alchemists were convinced that mercury transcended both the solid and liquid states, both earth and heaven, both life and death. • Mercury is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin).
Copper • Copper may well be the oldest metal in use (for producing mirrors) owing to its lustrous beauty. • The element represents love, balance, beauty, and artistic creativity
Alchemy Origins • Probably began in Egypt - based on early records. • The discipline is a blend of astrology, chemistry, magic and occultism, together with ideas derived from religious systems and other obscure sources.
Alchemy Origins Chemical techniques and instruments to: • Transform base metals, such as lead & mercury, into precious metals e.g. silver & gold • Discover the philosopher's stone/elixir of life - substance which was also said to have the power to give eternal life.
Famous Alchemy Practitioners • Antoine Lavoisier • Isaac Newton • John Dalton
Dalton’s Chemical Symbols 1808 • John Dalton – the Atomic theory • Each symbol represented one atom • Formula of a compound was made up of the symbols of its elements, and the no. of atoms present in the molecule
Jons Jacob Berzelius 1813 • Swedish chemist who worked out a simpler system that scientists use today • First letter of the Latin name for each element • When two names start with the same letter, the first two letters is used for one of the element (e.g. C and Ca)
References • http://www.scribd.com/doc/21654883/The-Golden-Book-of-Chemistry-Experiments • http://www.chymist.com/Names%20and%20symbols.pdf • http://alchemipedia.blogspot.com/2009/11/alchemy-medieval-chemistry-and.html • AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF ALCHEMY AND EARLY CHEMISTRYBY David A. Katz (2008)